Almost 200 heads of parmesan worth more than 100 thousand euros stolen in Italy: who is suspected by police
4 November 2025 21:07
In the Italian province of Bologna, unknown persons stole almost 200 heads of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese worth more than 100 thousand euros.
The robbery took place on the night of November 1 in the city of Castel D’Aiano, according to Il Resto del Carlino, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the president of the local dairy cooperative, Dario Zappoli, the thieves acted “with extreme precision and preparation.” They first stole two cars, got to the warehouse through a steep slope from the rear, and then entered the premises when the employees left the company.
The robbery lasted about six hours, from 7:50 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
According to preliminary estimates, the criminals took 191 heads of cheese weighing about 42 kg each, although the exact number is still being determined.
“We fear that the damage will be more than 100 thousand euros. We never expected to face something like this,” Zappoli said.
How the thieves acted
After the theft, according to the police, the stolen cars could have been loaded onto a truck in the Tole area. CCTV cameras captured the moment of the crime, and now the carabinieri are investigating.
The cooperative has already installed a reinforced security system, and the owners expect compensation from the insurance company.
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is one of the symbols of Italy, an expensive product with a protected geographical origin that takes 12 to 36 months to mature.
Due to its high cost and ease of resale, Parmesan is often targeted by thieves, especially in the northern regions of Italy.
Italian media unofficially call such schemes the “cheese mafia” because the stolen product often ends up on the black market or abroad.
Similar cases
This is not the first high-profile theft of luxury cheese in Europe.
In October 2024, a London seller reported the fraudulent theft of a batch of premium cheddar worth more than 300 thousand pounds.
The police then detained a 63-year-old man on suspicion of possession of stolen goods.
Italian law enforcement officers are studying surveillance footage and checking possible routes of transportation.
The local community is hopeful that the stolen Parmesan will be found, as each head is individually labeled – a kind of “cheese passport”.
“We have drawn conclusions and strengthened our defense. But the losses for us are huge – not only material but also emotional,” added Dario Zappoli.
