Three suspects in Romanian gold robbery allegedly visited Drents Museum weeks earlier
Two of the main suspects in the Drents Museum gold artifacts heist visited the museum weeks before the theft, prosecutors say. Despite forensic evidence linking them to the crime, all three suspects have denied any involvement, according to De Telegraaf.
The stolen artifacts, including the world-famous golden helmet of Coțofenești and two golden bracelets, were taken from the museum in late January during a nighttime burglary. The artifacts were part of the “Dacia, Empire of Gold and Silver” exhibition, and their theft sparked outrage in Romania, where they are considered to be of immense cultural and historical significance.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) has named Douglas Chesley Wendersteyt and Bernhard Zeeman as key suspects in the case. Both men remain in custody, while Wendersteyt’s partner, who was also arrested, was released last week. In a brief statement following her release, she said she had no knowledge of the stolen gold’s whereabouts.
Authorities say they linked Wendersteyt and Zeeman to the crime through DNA evidence found on clothing discarded in a trash bin in Assen a day after the theft. The clothing reportedly contained glass shards that police claim match the glass from the Drents Museum.
“According to police, these glass fragments match those from the museum,” said Dennis Vlielander, Wendersteyt’s attorney. “I view this differently—there is a high degree of similarity, but that is not the same as a 100 percent match.”
Zeeman’s lawyer, Micha Jonge Vos, also questioned the strength of the evidence, pointing out that police have referenced a fuel purchase made shortly before the heist using a payment card linked to his client. “However, there are no images of my client,” Jonge Vos said.
The prosecution has reportedly used strong tactics to pressure the suspects into revealing the location of the stolen gold. Authorities warned the suspects that their identities would be publicly disclosed if they did not cooperate—a threat they followed through on, to the frustration of their legal teams.
“Police and prosecutors are pulling out all the stops,” Vlielander said. “My client was interrogated on the very first night, and he was even offered a deal if he would disclose the location of the stolen artifacts. But such deals are not up to the prosecution; that’s for a judge to decide.”
The defense maintains that there is no direct evidence proving their clients were involved in the theft. “There is no rock-solid proof linking my client directly to the heist,” Vlielander added. “No incriminating conversations have been intercepted. This case is far from over.”
Four people have been arrested so far in connection with the theft, including a 26-year-old man from Heerhugowaard. A fifth suspect, who was caught on surveillance cameras at a hardware store in Assen, remains at large.
