Three men made off with over $200,000 in Hermés Birkin and Kelly bags from a midtown Manhattan auction house early Tuesday morning.
Heritage Auctions said the thieves broke through the storefront windows between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Tuesday. The auction house declined to confirm the brands or models of the stolen bags.
According to the New York Post, which cited sources and authorities, the thieves made off with eight bags valued between $6,000 and $50,000 each. In total, $242,000 worth of bags were pilfered.
A local auctioneer told the outlet he was surprised by the burglary, likening it to COVID-era smash-and-grabs.
“It’s wild,” a neighbor said of the theft. “It’s across the street from most of the investment banks and private equity firms.”
High-end theft has seen an increase around NYC. According to NYPD data, grand larceny in the area of the auction house saw a 14 percent increase over the same time last year.
Handbags are a big target for theft. The Heritage Auctions burglary comes just weeks after three men stole a $10,200 handbag from a Louis Vuitton pop-up shop. Last month, $52,000 worth of bags, shoes, and clothing were taken from a SoHo Givenchy.
