Dramatic moment gang blow up museum door & steal 2,500-year-old Golden Helmet in Ocean’s 11-style heist before vanishing

Once, thieves emulated a scene from Ocean’s 11 as they conducted a daring heist to steal a 2,500-year-old golden helmet and three invaluable bracelets, managing to disappear without a trace.

Astonishing video footage captures the criminals forcefully breaking through the doors of the Drents Museum in Assen, a charming Dutch city mostly recognized for its love of motorsports rather than notorious art theft.

Security camera image of suspects fleeing a museum after a heist.
A group of thieves stole several rare ancient items from a Dutch museum in an Ocean 11’s style heistCredit: YouTube
Nighttime security camera image of a museum after a break-in.
The moment the criminals blow up the doors of the Drents Museum in AssenCredit: YouTube
Dacian gold snake-shaped bracelets.
Three of these Dacian gold snake-shaped bracelets were taken in the heistCredit: Alamy
Getic prince's helmet, 4th century BC.
Thieves also took this 2,500-year-old golden helmetCredit: Getty

At 3.45am on Saturday, the tranquil streets turned chaotic as an explosion tore through the museum’s entrance.

Within minutes, the thieves had snatched the golden Helmet of Cotofenesti – an intricately decorated artefact dating back to 450 B.C.

They also took three spiral Dacian bracelets linked to ancient Romanian royalty.

Expressing his dismay, the museum’s director, Harry Tupan, conveyed, “This incident marks a somber day for both the Drents Museum in Assen and the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. We are profoundly shaken.”

He added the institution had never seen “such a major incident” in its 170-year history.

The helmet, a national treasure of Romania, was discovered in 1927 by a child in the small Romanian village of Cotofenesti.

It had once been used as a toy and even a water bowl for chickens before its historical value was realised.

Its front is adorned with engraved mythological creatures, a male figure appearing to sacrifice a ram, and two large ayes above the brow line.

The bracelets, thought to date back to 50 B.C., were just as significant as they were recovered from the black market after being looted from Dacian fortresses in the 1990s.

The heist unfolded like a scene from Ocean’s 11.

Moment brazen jewellery thief stuffs ÂŁ10m in bling into his rucksack

After the explosion, the gang disappeared with the gold relics, leaving the museum damaged but no one injured.

About 30 minutes later, police were alerted to a burning car nearby—a possible getaway vehicle set alight to cover their tracks.

“A possible scenario is that the suspects switched to another vehicle in the vicinity of the fire,” Dutch police said in a statement.

Authorities suspect several individuals were involved in the meticulously planned operation.

They’ve launched a forensic investigation, reviewed CCTV footage, and enlisted Interpol to track down the artefacts.

“This is something you don’t want as a museum, but also as a city and province,” said Marco Out, the mayor of Assen.

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis said Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof assured him that every effort is being made to recover the stolen treasures.

Dacian gold bracelet.
The bracelets are thought to date back to 50 B.C.Credit: Alamy
Gold Getic helmet from the 4th century BC, decorated with figures and patterns.
The helmet is adorned with engraved mythological creatures and a male figure appearing to sacrifice a ramCredit: Getty

It comes after a “blowtorch-wielding” jewel thief stuffed millions of pounds worth of bling into a rucksack during a brazen heist.

The ÂŁ10million robbery was recorded on CCTV showing a bold burglar grabbing handfuls of bangles, necklaces and rings – quickly shoving them into his bag.

Inside the London mansion, the masked robber was snapped creeping around the property before he went for the jewels, nearly bumping into the maid as he wandered through the corridor.

Footage shows him with a flat cap, black gloves and a dark jumper as he carefully scoops up multiple strings of beads and jewels.

He methodically stuffs the bling into a black bag was caught on camera at the St John’s Wood house property on Avenue Road.

The owner of the stolen goods is hyper-rich Hong Kong influencer Shafira Huang, 35, known for being a cultural ambassador of Bond Street’s swanky Halcyon Gallery.

She has offered rewards totalling £1.5million for anyone that can catch the thief who made off with her items and return her belongings.

After the ÂŁ38.5 million house was looted, the family immediately contacted the Metropolitan Police in a state of “big shock.”

Cops believe he is a white man in his late 20s to 30s and the family think it was a pre-meditated, professional, job.

You May Also Like

Court rules that Karen can be tried again for the murder of her police officer boyfriend in 2022

The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Karen Read can be…

“Elon Musk takes lead in surprising OpenAI acquisition during ongoing conflict”

Elon Musk Spearheads Shocking OpenAI Acquisition Amid Ongoing Feud, this move highlights…

Leader of JFK files investigation team from MAGA asserts existence of two shooters and vows to reveal additional hidden information

Anna Paulina Luna, an ally of Trump, has made a dramatic declaration…

Trump Ridicules Taylor Swift Following Super Bowl Criticism

Trump Mocks Taylor Swift After Super Bowl Backlash Unfolds as he criticizes…

Live Coverage: Day 6 of Megan Boswell’s Murder Trial for Alleged Killing of Toddler Daughter

Boswell faces accusations of killing her daughter, Evelyn, and trying to hide…

Teacher murders 7-year-old pupil after luring her into a room

A primary school teacher became a perpetrator of a heinous crime when…

Walmart bakery where 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur died in a fire releases important information after three months.

A WALMART store where an employee burned to death inside a walk-in…

WHSmith uses security tags on ÂŁ19 Mini Eggs due to increasing shoplifting, upsetting customers

Shoppers have been left baffled by WHSmith’s decision to put security tags…

Colman Domingo Discusses Possible Marvel Role Amid Speculation About Jonathan Majors

Colman Domingo Confirms Marvel Talks Amid Jonathan Majors Rumors, the actor met…

One person dead as private jet collides with plane on Scottsdale Airport runway

One person was killed and several others injured after a million-dollar private…

Kanye West closes event following emotional outburst

Kanye West Shuts Down X After Cathartic Rant highlights his decision to…

Uber Driver’s Attacker Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder for Kidnapping and Robbery

A Pennsylvania man was found guilty Monday, in connection with the death…