UMVA has learned that a British woman, Natali Ray, 57, was involved in a daring heist at a luxurious US estate, stealing wine worth over £30,000. The brazen theft took place at L’Auberge Provençale in Virginia, where Ray and her accomplice posed as representatives of a wealthy Canadian businesswoman.
The pair's scheme involved wearing disguises, including wigs, and introducing themselves under fake names. Ray, a former guest house owner, requested a tour of the wine cellar, where she distracted the co-owner while her accomplice allegedly made off with eight bottles of fine wine.
The stolen wine, which included a prized pinot noir valued at $24,000, was eventually partially recovered, with two bottles returned to the restaurant. However, the owners argued that the wines had lost much of their value due to improper storage while they were missing.
Natali Ray has spent six months in custody and was handed a one-year sentence, which was shorter than prosecutors expected. However, it was deemed she had already served half her sentence, putting her on track for an early release in just six more months.
The lenient sentence has sparked outrage, with the restaurant's co-owner, Celeste Borel, expressing dismay at the decision. Borel questioned the judicial system, saying it makes one wonder about the effectiveness of justice.
Ray's accomplice, Nikola Krndija, also 57, fled the scene and boarded a flight to Austria, and has not been seen since. Ray, on the other hand, faces a dramatically reduced sentence, sparking debate about the fairness of the punishment.
