Thieves Steal Priceless Romanian Gold Treasures in Explosive Museum Heist

An overnight break-in at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands led to the theft of rare artifacts, including a 2,500-year-old gold helmet, as authorities seek international help to recover them.

The Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, was targeted in a nighttime robbery involving an explosion that damaged the facility and nearby buildings.
Thieves stole the centerpiece of the exhibition, the ancient 'Helm of Poiana Coţofeneşti,' dating back to 450 BCE, along with three gold armlets and other artifacts loaned from Romania.
The heist occurred just days before the closing of the special exhibition 'Dakien – the Realm of Gold and Silver,' which showcased over 650 treasures from Romania's National History Museum.
Authorities, with assistance from Interpol, are investigating the crime, including surveillance footage and a burned-out vehicle believed to be connected to the thieves.
The theft has sparked shock and dismay in both the Netherlands and Romania, with officials highlighting the cultural and historical importance of the stolen items.