Thieves Steal Ancient Gold Artifacts After Blowing Up a Door at a Netherlands Museum
A group of thieves have stolen a trove of ancient artifacts from a Netherlands museum—and they used explosives to get inside.
Dutch authorities say they learned of a blast at the Drents Museum in the northern city of Assen at about 3:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, CNN reported. CCTV footage showed the robbers opening a door, and shortly after an explosion occurs and smoke into the surrounding area.
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The heist included an approximately 2,500-year-old gold helmet, known as the Helmet of Cotofenesti. Discovered almost a century ago in a Romanian village, the historically important artifact is adorned with mythological scenes and was thought to protect the wearer against the “evil eye,” a museum press release said. The treasure was on loan from the National History Museum of Romania. The thieves also nabbed three gold bracelets that date back to around 50 BC.
The pieces were part of the Dacia: Empire of Gold and Silver exhibition at Drents Museum. The show focuses on the world of the Dacians, ancient inhabitants that occupied present-day Romania. Some of the treasures, which have been on view since last July, had been borrowed from Romanian institutions.
“We are intensely shocked by the events last night at the museum,” Harry Tupan, Drents Museum’s general director, said in a statement. “In its 170-year existence, there has never been such a major incident. It also gives us enormous sadness towards our colleagues in Romania.”
No injuries were reported amid the explosion, though the museum structure itself was damaged. As for clues, Dutch authorities are on the hunt for details about a stolen gray car, which was discovered four miles from the crime scene in a blaze of fire. It is believed the car may be connected to the crime.
Thieves have been aggressive across the luxury sector over the last year. Four men in North Carolina were sentenced this week after stealing $11.5 million in luxury cars. New York City, meanwhile, saw a number of high-end watch thefts at eateries last summer. And who could forget the “Grate Cheese Heist,” in the U.K., when thieves nabbed over $390,000 worth of prize-winning cheddar.
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