Identity Theft

The Romanian government said it would pull out all stops to retrieve priceless national treasures central to the country’s cultural identity that were stolen last weekend while on loan to a Dutch museum, a brazen heist that shocked the art world and Romanians, Politico reported.

On Saturday, a group of thieves blew up a side door at the Drents Museum in the eastern city of Assen and stole four ancient Romanian artifacts worth in total more than $6 million. Three people are known to have been involved but the investigation so far has not identified them.

Among the stolen art was the Helmet of Cotofenesti, a 2,500-year-old gold ceremonial helmet with carvings dating back to the Dacia civilization and considered one of Romania’s most revered national treasures, according to the Art Newspaper.

The artifacts had been on loan to the Dutch museum from the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. The helmet was just about to be returned home after a six-month stint on loan when the thieves took it.

The Dutch museum said this was the biggest, and the worst, incident that ever occurred in the 170-year history of the institution, which reported no security problems during the time of the theft.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis lamented that the artifacts have “a strong emotional and symbolic impact on society,” with Justice Minister Radu Marinescu describing the theft as “a crime against our state,” the Associated Press reported.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the government is cooperating with Dutch officials and police to swiftly retrieve the missing pieces.

The helmet’s fame and recognizable appearance make it unlikely to be sold, raising fears that the thieves intend to melt the artifact and sell the gold. It would not only drastically reduce the treasure’s historical and cultural value, but it would also be a crime against humanity because it is a piece of world heritage, officials said.