Authorities in the Netherlands have apprehended three individuals linked to a bold theft of ancient Romanian artifacts from a museum in the northeastern part of the country, following a rigorous four-day search.
The burglary occurred on Saturday, during which the perpetrators employed explosives to breach the Drents Museum in Assen, inciting outrage in Romania and leading Dutch police to swiftly pursue the assailants.
The artifacts in question were on loan from the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest, and as a result of this incident, the director has lost his position.
“The suspects are being held under strict conditions and are undergoing interrogation regarding their involvement in the theft,” stated Dutch police, mentioning that “further arrests cannot be ruled out.”
The Helmet of Cotofenesti is a Getic helmet formerly belonging to a prince
The thieves made away with four significant Romanian artifacts, including the approximately 2,500-year-old golden Helmet of Cotofenesti, a renowned piece from the Dacian civilization.
Additionally, three gold bracelets, dating back to around 50 BC, were also stolen.
The items were considered to have “special cultural and symbolic significance,” and their loss has caused considerable distress in Romania, as noted by Bucharest’s foreign affairs minister, Emil Hurezeanu.
Dutch police have initiated an extensive investigation into the theft and today released a photograph of another suspect sought in connection with the incident.
There were four Dacian bracelets originally displayed at the National History Museum of Romania
The Drents Museum has expressed satisfaction with the arrests, which took place in the small city of Heerhugowaard, located approximately 50 km north of Amsterdam.
“The safe return of the artifacts would be a fantastic next step for everyone involved,” the museum stated.
It further expressed: “This is important not only for us but also for the Romanian people.”
In the past, Dutch museums and galleries have faced similar thefts, including a November incident where works by artist Andy Warhol were taken, as well as a Van Gogh stolen from a museum in 2020.
These heists have led to calls for improved security measures to safeguard valuable artworks.
