Robbers assault guard, steal gold coins at Swiss museum

Swiss authorities are searching for two robbers who overpowered a security guard at an ancient Roman-themed museum in Lausanne, smashed a display case and stole dozens of gold coins on display inside.

City police said the suspects bought tickets shortly before closing time on Thursday and waited for other visitors to leave, then attacked and restrained the security guard and then broke the display case.

The monetary value of the loot was not immediately disclosed, but police said the coins had “archaeological value.”

The theft comes as gold prices have risen on global markets this year (though they have fallen to their highest levels recently) and the high-profile heist at the Louvre in Paris has exposed vulnerabilities and vulnerabilities in museums.

Officials said that the 64-year-old Swiss citizen, a Lausanne museum employee, was interrogated by investigators and was not injured in the incident.

There was no one else (staff or visitors) there at the time.

State prosecutors launched an investigation.

Lausanne municipal authorities have filed a legal complaint over the damage to the museum, and the regional government, which owns the gold coins, has also announced plans to file criminal charges.