In Norway, four masked thieves executed a brazen heist at the National Gallery in Oslo, taking advantage of the gallery's security weaknesses. The stolen artwork, Edvard Munch's The Scream, is considered one of the most iconic pieces of art in the world, renowned for its vivid portrayal of existential angst. The thieves broke through the front window in the morning, when visitors were still entering the gallery, displaying an audacious disregard for the public nature of the theft. As they made off with the painting, they left behind chaos and panic amongst visitors and staff alike.

The theft of The Scream was not only shocking due to the nature of the crime but also because it involved such a culturally significant piece of art. Munch's masterpiece has had various versions, and each one symbolizes deeper psychological narratives in modern art. Owing to this fame, the painting's security was expected to be robust, leading to widespread criticism of the gallery's failure to prevent the heist. Following the robbery, disbelief mixed with a sense of urgency engulfed the nation, as art lovers and authorities sought to locate the stolen work.

A significant police investigation was launched immediately, and it garnered international media attention. Law enforcement agencies across Norway and beyond worked collaboratively to track down leads and recover the stolen art. The investigation exposed vulnerabilities in cultural institutions regarding security protocols for high-value artworks. Fortunately, just a few months later, the stolen artwork was recovered, adding to the drama surrounding its disappearance, and investigations into the criminal elements behind the theft continued.