Police closely tracking suspects in explosive gold heist at Drents museum in Assen
2 months ago

Police closely tracking suspects in explosive gold heist at Drents museum in Assen

NL Times  

Authorities are reportedly closing in on three suspects involved in a dramatic gold heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, where archaeological treasures were stolen on Saturday morning. During the heist, several priceless archaeological artifacts were taken, including the world-famous golden helmet of Cotofenesti, dating back approximately 2,500 years. Brand, known for his role in recovering stolen art, has called on the thieves to return the helmet, warning that melting it down for gold would destroy valuable cultural heritage. "If they melt the helmet down, the value becomes irrelevant, and the theft becomes even worse—destruction of irreplaceable cultural heritage," Brand said.

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History of this topic

Security system failed during Drents Museum gold theft, says Romanian curator
1 day, 17 hours ago

Security system failed during Drents Museum gold theft, says Romanian curator

NL Times  

The security system at the Drents Museum failed to function properly during the theft of a golden helmet and three golden bracelets from the Dacia exhibition, according to Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, former director of the National History Museum in Bucharest. Oberländer-Târnoveanu, who also served as a guest curator for the exhibition, expressed his concerns about the museum's security measures in an …

Three suspects in Romanian gold robbery allegedly visited Drents Museum weeks earlier
1 week, 3 days ago

Three suspects in Romanian gold robbery allegedly visited Drents Museum weeks earlier

NL Times  

Two of the main suspects in the Drents Museum gold artifacts heist visited the museum weeks before the theft, prosecutors say. The artifacts were part of the “Dacia, Empire of Gold and Silver” exhibition, and their theft sparked outrage in Romania, where they are considered to be of immense cultural and historical significance. “According to police, these glass fragments match …

Female suspect in Drenthe art heist allowed to await investigation in freedom
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Female suspect in Drenthe art heist allowed to await investigation in freedom

NL Times  

The Public Prosecution Service in northern Netherlands has allowed a 40-year-old woman from Heerhugowaard to await the investigation into her role in the January art heist at the Drents Museum while remaining free. The woman had been in preliminary detention since the theft of valuable Romanian art treasures from the museum on January 25, 2025. The theft at the Drents …

Fourth suspect in Drents Museum art theft remanded to jail for 90 days
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Fourth suspect in Drents Museum art theft remanded to jail for 90 days

NL Times  

The fourth suspect of the art theft from the Drents Museum in Assen will remain in custody for another 90 days, the Public Prosecution Service has reported. The stolen art pieces have not yet been recovered, with rewards of up to 250,000 euros being offered for anybody with any information that could lead to the capture of the items. The …

Police arrest fourth gold heist suspect, treasure still missing
1 month ago

Police arrest fourth gold heist suspect, treasure still missing

Dutch News  

Police have arrested a fourth person in the hunt for robbers who stole valuable Romanian artefacts from the Drents Museum in Assen. During a search at an address in Heerhugowaard, Noord-Holland, and a lock-up in Koggenland, police impounded two cars, devices, and clothing. The gang is accused of making off with some of Romania’s most treasured artifacts, including the golden …

Fourth suspect arrested for Romanian gold theft at Drents Museum in Assen
1 month, 1 week ago

Fourth suspect arrested for Romanian gold theft at Drents Museum in Assen

NL Times  

A fourth person was arrested on Thursday in connection with the robbery of the Drents Museum in Assen last month. Security camera footage released by the police showed the man, with a lighter skin tone, wearing a black Nike baseball hat, a black Nike long-sleeve top, and black rectangular glasses. Police previously threatened to reveal the identity of the woman …

Drents Museum robbery could cost Netherlands €5.8 million if treasures aren't found
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Drents Museum robbery could cost Netherlands €5.8 million if treasures aren't found

NL Times  

The theft of four golden Romanian treasures from the Drents Museum two weeks ago could cost the Dutch State 5.8 million euros if the artifacts aren’t recovered, RTV Drenthe discovered. The Drents Museum in Assen insured the golden helmet and the three bracelets on loan from Romania for 5.8 million euros. Last year, the government guaranteed almost 469 million euros …

Police received hundreds of tips on Drents Museum robbery
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Police received hundreds of tips on Drents Museum robbery

NL Times  

The police have received hundreds of tips regarding the theft of Romanian treasures from the Drents Museum in Assen, the police said on Opsporing Verzocht on Tuesday evening. In a remarkable move, the authorities published two of the suspects’ photos and full names a day later in an attempt to find the stolen artifacts. The fact that the police arrested …

50-50 chance that stolen Romanian artifacts were melted down for gold: Art detective
1 month, 3 weeks ago

50-50 chance that stolen Romanian artifacts were melted down for gold: Art detective

NL Times  

Art detective Arthur Brand thinks there is a fifty-fifty chance that the thieves who stole a golden helmet and three gold bracelets from the Drents Museum in Assen have melted the Romanian treasures down for the gold. The police arrested three suspects very quickly, so they might not have had the time, but Brand is also suspicious of their persistent …

Police release photos of Drents Museum gold heist suspects
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Police release photos of Drents Museum gold heist suspects

Dutch News  

Police and the public prosecution office have released the names and photos of two of the suspects in connection with last weekend’s gold robbery at the Drents Museum in Assen. All three suspects were picked up in Heerhugowaard, a town in Noord Holland not far from Alkmaar, where one of the cars used in the robbery had been stolen. The …

Suspect in Drents Museum heist previously convicted of violent home invasion
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Suspect in Drents Museum heist previously convicted of violent home invasion

NL Times  

Bernhard Z., one of three suspects in custody for stealing golden Romanian cultural artifacts from the Drents Museum on Saturday, was previously convicted of a violent home invasion in Heerhugowaard in which he and his accomplices tied up and threatened two young children. On Thursday, the police released the full names and photos of Z. and one of the other …

Treasures stolen from Drents Museum still missing; Police release photos of suspects
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Treasures stolen from Drents Museum still missing; Police release photos of suspects

NL Times  

The police have taken a remarkable step in the investigation into the theft of valuable Romanian cultural artifacts from the Drents Museum. The police hope that doing so will help them track down the stolen treasures - a gold helmet and three gold bracelets - which are still missing. According to the police, recovering the treasures stolen from the museum …

Dutch police arrest three suspects in connection with museum heist
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Dutch police arrest three suspects in connection with museum heist

CNN  

CNN — Dutch police have arrested three people in connection with a museum heist that saw thieves blow open a door with explosives before stealing four priceless ancient artifacts, including an approximately 2,500-year-old gold helmet on loan from Romania. Video Ad Feedback See thieves blow up door in daring museum heist 00:40 - Source: CNN See thieves blow up door …

Couple arrested in connection with Drents Museum heist
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Couple arrested in connection with Drents Museum heist

NL Times  

Authorities arrested suspects earlier this week in connection with the theft at the Drents Museum, which occurred over the weekend. At the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, cases were smashed in broad daylight with visitors present because they had weak protective film.” There were no guards present during the heist, which is typical for museum security, according to Cremers. “You …

Dutch police arrest three suspects after the theft of a priceless golden helmet from Romania
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Dutch police arrest three suspects after the theft of a priceless golden helmet from Romania

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Dutch authorities on Wednesday arrested three suspects after the theft of a priceless ancient golden helmet that is considered a cultural icon of Romania and had been on display in a small museum in the Netherlands. The theft of the helmet and three golden wristbands also on display sent shockwaves through the art world, and devastated Romanian authorities …

Three arrested for Assen museum gold heist, artifacts missing
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Three arrested for Assen museum gold heist, artifacts missing

Dutch News  

Three people have been arrested in connection with last weekend’s gold heist at the Drents Museum in Assen. The arrests were made on the basis of “the police investigation, camera images and the many tips from the public,” broadcaster NOS quoted the police as saying. The museum said on its website it was “extremely happy at the hopeful news” and …

Police issue photo of Assen gold heist suspect at DIY store
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Police issue photo of Assen gold heist suspect at DIY store

Dutch News  

The police have issued several photographs of a man they want to interview in connection with last weekend’s gold heist in Assen. The man, wearing glasses and a baseball cap, was seen in a DIY store in Assen on the previous Thursday, police said on Wednesday afternoon. So far, 120 tips have come in since Tuesday night’s tv crime show …

Police find gold heist clues, thieves may be from Noord-Holland
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Police find gold heist clues, thieves may be from Noord-Holland

Dutch News  

Several of the thieves who stole one of Romania’s most important national treasures from the Drents Museum in Assen are from Noord-Holland province, police have said, as the investigation into the heist continues. On Tuesday evening, the police used television crime show Opsporing Verzocht to ask for information about discarded tools and items of clothing, and a hammer found in …

Police release new photos of suspect in Romanian gold artifacts theft at Drents Museum
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Police release new photos of suspect in Romanian gold artifacts theft at Drents Museum

NL Times  

Police investigating the daring burglary at the Drents Museum in Assen have released a series of photographs featuring a man wanted in connection with the robbery. The new photos from the police show a man with a lighter skin complexion is shown wearing a black Nike baseball hat and a black Nike top with long-sleeves. The suspects entered the museum …

Three arrested for stealing Romanian artifacts from Drents Museum; Gold not recovered
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Three arrested for stealing Romanian artifacts from Drents Museum; Gold not recovered

NL Times  

Three people were arrested on Wednesday as part of the investigation into the brazen theft of Romanian gold artifacts from the Drents Museum last weekend. None of the three are Romanian," said Romania's Interior State Secretary Bogdan Despescu during a press conference. “We are very pleased with the hopeful news regarding the arrests in Noord-Holland,” the Drents Museum said in …

Hammer found on terrain of Drents Museum after robbery; Museum reopening Friday
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Hammer found on terrain of Drents Museum after robbery; Museum reopening Friday

NL Times  

The police have found a hammer in the water on the grounds of the Drents Museum in Assen that may have been used in a burglary on Saturday in which several archeological masterpieces were stolen. Mayor Marco Out of Assen has been in contact with several layers of government since the theft, he said on the museum’s website. This is …

Art world in shock as thieves blow up museum door to steal priceless treasure
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Art world in shock as thieves blow up museum door to steal priceless treasure

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A daring art heist has sent shockwaves across Europe after a …

Theft in Netherlands of ancient golden helmet leaves Romania distraught
2 months ago

Theft in Netherlands of ancient golden helmet leaves Romania distraught

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The prize in this art heist is worth more than its gold. “It is a pitch dark day for us,” museum director Harry Tupan said. AP AUDIO: Theft in Netherlands of ancient golden helmet leaves Romania distraught AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on an art heist in the Netherlands. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said the artifacts have “exceptional …

Police call for info on stolen car used in Assen gold heist
2 months ago

Police call for info on stolen car used in Assen gold heist

Dutch News  

Police are appealing for information about a burnt-out car which may have been used in the Dacia gold heist at the Drents Museum in Assen. The car was spotted in Groningen on January 23 and was spotted again almost two days later close to the Assen museum. At 3.45 on Saturday morning, thieves blasted their way into the museum and …

Thieves blow up museum door and steal ancient artifacts, including 2,500-year-old gold helmet
2 months ago

Thieves blow up museum door and steal ancient artifacts, including 2,500-year-old gold helmet

CNN  

CNN — Thieves have stolen four ancient artifacts, including an approximately 2,500-year-old gold helmet, after using explosives to break into a museum in the Netherlands. Video Ad Feedback See thieves blow up door in daring museum heist 00:40 - Source: CNN See thieves blow up door in daring museum heist 00:40 The items were part of an exhibition about the …

Police release Assen gold heist footage showing three men
Trending News
2 months ago

Police release Assen gold heist footage showing three men

Dutch News  

Dutch police have released surveillance camera footage of the heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, in which at least four priceless pieces of Dacia gold were stolen. Among the stolen items is the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, crafted from almost pure gold and dating from 500 BC, along with three gold arm bands. Museum chief Harry Tupan said on …

Romanian outrage grows over stolen artifacts as police release footage
2 months ago

Romanian outrage grows over stolen artifacts as police release footage

NL Times  

Romanian officials and cultural figures have reacted with anger and sadness following the theft of priceless artifacts from the Drents Museum in Assen. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed his concern, calling the stolen items "of incalculable value" and urging their swift recovery. National significance of the Cotofenesti helmet The Cotofenesti helmet, crafted from nearly pure gold and dating back …

Interpol drafted in to help in Dacia gold heist investigation
2 months ago

Interpol drafted in to help in Dacia gold heist investigation

Dutch News  

Thieves have stolen several key artifacts from an exhibition of gold from the ancient kingdom of Dacia at the Drents Museum in Assen, after setting of explosives outside the building. Museum chief Harry Tupan said it is a dark day for both the Assen museum and the National History Museum in Bucharest, which had lent the pieces to the exhibition. …

Ancient gold artifacts stolen in Drents museum robbery
2 months ago

Ancient gold artifacts stolen in Drents museum robbery

NL Times  

A major theft at the Drents Museum in Assen has resulted in the loss of valuable gold and silver artifacts from the Dacia – Rijk van Goud en Zilver exhibition, which was in its final weekend. The exhibition featured over 600 gold and silver objects from at least 15 museums across Romania, with highlights including three golden bracelets and the …

Explosion reported near Drents museum in Assen
2 months ago

Explosion reported near Drents museum in Assen

NL Times  

An explosion occurred early Saturday morning at the Drents Museum in Assen, potentially linked to a burglary attempt. The blast happened at approximately 3:45 a.m., damaging several buildings along the Brink, including shattered windows. Ancient gold The Drents Museum is currently hosting a major archaeological exhibition titled Dacia - Rijk van goud en zilver. The display features more than 50 …

Metal detectorist, 54, strikes gold after digging up 3,000-year-old Bronze Age cloak fastener in 'one-in-a-billion' discovery
1 year, 1 month ago

Metal detectorist, 54, strikes gold after digging up 3,000-year-old Bronze Age cloak fastener in 'one-in-a-billion' discovery

Daily Mail  

An amateur metal detectorist has stuck gold after he discovered a 'one-in-a-billion' Bronze Age artefact. Jonathan Needham, 54, found the 3,000-year-old cloak fastener on a patch of land in Ellastone, Staffordshire It is likely to be acquired by a museum and has left the retired tree surgeon delighted Mr Needham is pictured with the gold cloak fastener The artefact has …

German police find melted-down gold after theft of Celtic coins, seek rest of treasure
1 year, 8 months ago

German police find melted-down gold after theft of Celtic coins, seek rest of treasure

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Investigators looking into the theft …

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