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Wine Heist: Disguised Couple Steals Priceless Bottles
6 Dec
Summary
- Woman arrested after attempting to steal £31,500 in vintage wine.
- Couple used disguises and an adapted coat for the audacious theft.
- Suspect may be linked to a similar £20,000 wine theft in Florida.
In a brazen act of wine theft, Natali Ray was apprehended in Virginia after allegedly attempting to steal £31,500 worth of vintage bottles from L'Auberge Provencale. Ray, posing as a cultured client, arrived with an accomplice, using an elaborate ruse involving disguises and a specially designed coat to conceal the prized Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines. The attempt was foiled, but her male associate escaped, leading to a high-speed chase.
Authorities are now exploring a potential connection between Ray and a similar, audacious theft in Florida approximately one year prior, where a couple with uncanny resemblances to Ray and her accomplice allegedly stole a £20,000 bottle of the same prestigious wine. Investigators believe this could indicate a sophisticated ring targeting rare and valuable vintages, exploiting the booming black market for such items.
Ray faces serious charges including grand larceny, with potential for up to 50 years in prison. Her arrest follows a lifestyle that appears incongruous with the alleged crime, featuring extensive international travel and social engagements. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify Ray's accomplice and ascertain the full extent of their alleged criminal activities.
