Key Takeaways:
– Priceless gold artifacts stolen from Dutch museum in weekend heist.
– Thieves used explosives to force open museum doors.
– Dacian helmet and royal bracelets from History Museum of Romania among stolen items.
– Investigation ongoing with possible link to car fire at the scene.
– Museum to remain closed over weekend.
Explosives and Gold: Famed Museum Broke Into Amid Stunning Heist
In a shocking twist, thieves managed to infiltrate the protected walls of a Dutch museum early on Saturday. Using explosives, these criminals blew open a door, paving the way to an unanticipated heist involving priceless artwork.
Night Siege Unravels at Drents Museum, Assen
Dutch police received a report at 3:45 a.m. local time regarding an explosion at the Drents Museum in Assen. Arriving at the scene, officers discovered a disconcerting sight—the museum tarnished and several gold masterpieces missing. The robbers had managed to cause enough damage, which allowed them to abscond with a handful of the museum’s prized possessions.
Gold Illustrations of Dacia’s History Stolen
Among the items stolen include a gold Coțofenești helmet, a remarkable piece from around 450 BC, on loan from the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. Alongside the helmet, the thieves also made off with three Dacian royal bracelets. These pieces formed part of an exhibit titled “Dacia – Empire of Gold and Silver.”
Desperate Measures Echo the gravity of the Heist
The director of the Drents Museum, Harry Tupan, expressed profound shock and despair at the catastrophe. He characterized it as a “dark day” for both museums involved. In his words, during its 170-year existence, the Drents Museum had never witnessed an incident of such magnitude.
Closure and Investigation Enforce a Standstill at Drents Museum
As the police launched an investigation into the crime, the museum announced its closure over the weekend. Dutch police stated that the search is still ongoing, and no arrests have been made so far. They suspect that multiple individuals were involved.
Linking Clues: Car Fire Possibly Linked to the Heist
Adding a layer of intrigue to the investigation, police received a report about a car fire around 4:15 a.m., just 30 minutes after the burglary report. No one was found in the burning car, leading authorities to believe that it might be connected to the museum break-in. This conjecture was spurred on by suspicion that the robbers had switched to another vehicle in the fire’s vicinity.
Call for Evidence: Residents Urged to Assist
In a bid to speed up the process, police are calling on residents who live near the museum and may have footage from doorbell cameras or dashcams captured between 3:00 and 4:30 a.m. They’re also asking the public to report anything unusual seen at the Drents Museum in recent days. As the story continues to develop, we await new updates about the unique and shocking art heist that has rattled this landmark museum.