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In a dramatic turn of events, Dutch police have arrested three men in connection with the robbery of ancient Romanian artefacts from the Drents Museum in Assen, in the north-east of the Netherlands. The arrests came after an intensive four-day hunt following the break-in on Saturday, during which the thieves used explosives to gain entry.
The stolen treasures, which were on loan from the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest, included the approximately 2,500-year-old golden Helmet of Cotofenesti, a valuable piece from the Dacian civilisation, and three gold bracelets dating from around 50BC. The theft has caused significant anguish in Romania and resulted in the dismissal of the museum director in Bucharest.
Dutch police launched a large-scale inquiry into the heist and released a photograph of another suspect wanted in connection with the case earlier on Wednesday. A police spokesperson stated, “The suspects are held under strict conditions and are being questioned about their role in the heist,” adding that further arrests could not be ruled out. As of now, the stolen artefacts have not yet been recovered.
The Drents Museum, located in the small city of Heerhugowaard, about 30 miles north of Amsterdam, welcomed the arrests. In a statement, the museum said, “The safe return of the artifacts would be a fantastic next step for all involved. Not only for us, but also for the Romanian people.”
Bucharest’s foreign affairs minister, Emil Hurezeanu, emphasized the special cultural and symbolic importance of the stolen pieces and expressed the great anguish their disappearance has caused in Romania. The Dutch art detective, Arthur Brand, mentioned that due to the short time it took to track down the suspects, “there is a good chance that the pieces may still be intact.”
Dutch museums and galleries have been targeted by thieves in the past. Notable incidents include the theft of works by the artist Andy Warhol from a gallery in Oisterwijk in November 2024 and the theft of a Van Gogh from a museum in 2020. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by museums in securing valuable artefacts and artworks.
The recent arrests and ongoing investigation into the theft of ancient Romanian artefacts from the Drents Museum reflect the Dutch authorities’ determination to recover the stolen items and bring the culprits to justice. As the inquiry continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of these culturally and historically significant pieces to Romania.
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