Robbers used explosives to power open a door at a Dutch museum early Saturday morning, stealing a number of gold masterpieces, museum officials said in a statement.
Police obtained a report at 3:45 a.m. native time Saturday about an explosion on the Drents Museum in Assen. Upon arrival, officers discovered the museum broken and the gold masterpieces gone.
A gold Coțofenești helmet on mortgage from the Nationwide Historical past Museum of Romania in Bucharest and three Dacian royal bracelets have been stolen by the thieves. The artifacts have been on show in an exhibit, “Dacia – Empire of Gold and Silver,” the museum mentioned.
“This can be a darkish day for the Drents Museum in Assen and the Nationwide Historical past Museum of Romania in Bucharest. We’re intensely shocked by the occasions final evening on the museum. In its 170-year existence, there has by no means been such a serious incident,” mentioned Harry Tupan, common director of the Drents Museum.
Dutch Police
The museum mentioned it could be closed over the weekend whereas the police carried out an investigation.
No accidents have been reported, and no arrests have been made thus far. Authorities suspect that a number of people have been concerned, Dutch police said in a statement.
Police mentioned they obtained a report of a automotive hearth round 4:15 a.m., however nobody was contained in the burning automobile. Authorities suspect that the automotive could also be linked to the explosion and housebreaking on the museum. Suspects switched to a different automobile within the neighborhood of the fireplace, police mentioned.
Police requested for assist from residents close to the museum which may have footage from a doorbell digicam or dashcam between 3:00 and 4:30 a.m., and requested for individuals who might need seen something uncommon on the Drents museum in latest days to contact the police.
This can be a growing story. Please verify again for updates.
