Four treasures from the ancient Dacian civilisation that were stolen from a Dutch museum in January are still missing—but may not have been melted down, according to a court hearing.
Three golden armbands and the €4.3 million golden helmet of Coțofenești were on loan from the Romanian National History Museum in Bucharest when they were stolen in a raid on the Drents Museum in Assen.
Three suspects were arrested and at a court hearing on Wednesday, Dutch prosecutors revealed evidence that the objects are still intact.
Prosecutors said recorded phone taps and covert recordings indicated “that the crime was committed as a team, and that the loot still exists”.
Thieves had blown up a side door of the museum, smashed a case containing the objects and fled in a stolen car, which was later found burnt out. Police recovered the hammer in a ditch and shortly afterwards arrested men named by Dutch media as Douglas Chesley W., Bernhard Z. and Jan B.
The court heard that traces of gold were found in a bag of clothing abandoned in a local container, suggesting it had been used to carry the treasures. The clothing contained DNA from the first two suspects, as well as probable glass fragments from the museum. The third suspect is believed to have bought tools from a DIY store. All three men remain in pre-trial custody and are exercising their right to remain silent.
If the objects are not discovered, the Dutch state is reportedly liable for their insured value of €5.7 million.
In a statement, the Drents Museum said it was confident they would be found. “The golden helmet of Coțofenești features two eyes, [probably] meant to ward off the Evil Eye and thus protect both the helmet and its wearer,” it said. “For centuries, these eyes have done just that. Let us hope they continue to do so— for Romania, and for all of us.”