A Dutch police force has apprehended three individuals for “removing” ancient treasures from a museum. The thieves blew open a door and made off with four valuable items, including a 2,500-year-old gold helmet from Romania.
The police posted the names and pictures of the two suspects, Douglas Chesley Wendersteyt and Bernhard Zeeman. The other suspect, a woman, was not identified. All three are from Heerhugowaard, a city roughly 70 miles from the museum.
The robbery took place in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Drents Museum in Assen, roughly 80 miles from Amsterdam. Security cameras capture the thieves blowing a door with an explosion at 3:45 a.m.
Such ancient gold artifacts include three gold bracelets and the Helmet of Cotofenesti, which date back 2,000 years and haven’t yet been recovered. This is an important piece of Romanian history, helmet. Dutch police say it their top priority to find these items, and they’ve put out an appeal for the public’s help.
In Assen, police found a bag with clothes, and in Heerhugowaard homes were searched. They are also seeking a black van that may have been used in committing the crime. A second suspect was filmed at a hardware store, purchasing tools such as hammers and a crowbar.
The stolen artifacts were part of an exhibition on the Dacians, an ancient Romanian people. The Helmet of Cotofenesti, unearthed in a Romanian village about 100 years ago, is adorned with mythological depictions and golden eyes designed to intimidate foes.
The theft has angered Romanian officials. President Klaus Iohannis said the artifacts are a great importance to Romania. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that Romania had not agreed to the loan and could seek damages from the Netherlands if it does not return the items.
Romania’s Culture Minister dismissed the director of the National History Museum, blaming him for the crisis. The museum’s former director said he had never dreamed of such a theft occurring.
Drents Museum has remained shut since the robbery but will reopen Friday. The explosion damaged the building, but no injuries were reported. The museum director, Harry Tupan, said it was a “dark day” for both museums.
The museum welcomes the arrests and looks forward to seeing the stolen artifacts returned quickly, in particular to the Romanian people, the statement said.
