A detectives’ investigation has determined that the mansion was broken into twice last week, in the early morning hours of Friday and Saturday, Brennan said.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns the historic home of the Vanderbilts and opens it for tours and other events, contacted the police on Saturday. The society had noticed damage to a door at the home Friday and then realized on Saturday that items were missing, Brennan said.

Initial reports from the society were that eight items were missing: a glass vase, three silver vases, a clock, a candelabrum and two small decorative objects – a brass caryatid casting by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and an obelisk. Police photos of the recovered items don’t seem to match that description exactly.

The Preservation Society earlier this week offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of eight stolen objects.

Brennan said the police are reviewing an inventory list with the Preservation Society to determine if everything has been recovered.

The investigation was aided by information from the director of Salve Regina security, John Mixter, who told the police that he had information on the larceny, according to Brennan.

The Catholic university's campus is steps away from the Breakers; both properties front the Cliff Walk near Bellevue Avenue.

The police allege that the students left the items on Second Beach in Middletown and intended to make an anonymous call reporting that the items could be recovered there. But the police arrested the students before any phone call was made, Brennan said.