Incident Details
On December 5, at 11:38 PM, the Ermenegildo Zegna Trophy was stolen from the Tasmanian Wool Centre in Ross, Tasmania. The theft, a "smash and grab," was recorded by the centre's CCTV cameras.
CCTV footage shows an individual, clad in a hoodie, trousers, and gloves, breaking into the museum's side door. The person then used a hammer to smash the glass casing protecting the trophy before taking the trophy and its wooden case and departing in a white van. The robbery was completed in minutes.
The Ermenegildo Zegna Trophy
The Ermenegildo Zegna Trophy was the sole item stolen from the centre, which houses a museum and gift shop. The trophy, created by Tasmanian sculptor Stephen Walker, was awarded annually from 1963 to 2008 to growers producing the best superfine merino fleece. It represented the ties between premium Tasmanian wool and Italian high fashion and was regarded as a significant award within the global wool industry. Wool broker Rob Calvert stated the trophy's value is symbolic to the industry and Tasmania, rather than commercial.
Current Status
No arrests have been made in connection with the theft, and Tasmania Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Jessica Newton, general manager of the Tasmanian Wool Centre, indicated that the trophy appeared to have been specifically targeted.