Police search Heerhugowaard office in Romanian art theft investigation; Items not found

The police searched a business in Heerhugowaard on Wednesday in connection with the art theft in Assen in March. The stolen Romanian art pieces were not found in the search. Digital data carriers were seized which are often telephones, computers, or hard drives.

Five suspects have been arrested since the theft, and four of these suspects are currently still detained, with one female suspect being allowed to await the case in freedom. The first public hearing in the case is scheduled for May 9.

A historical golden helmet and three golden armbands from Romania were stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen at the end of January. These items have not been found as of yet.

The stolen items were on loan to the Drents Museum and were of significant cultural value to Romania. A Dutch entrepreneur living in Romania has set a reward of 250,000 euros for anyone giving any valuable information that could lead to the recovery of the items.

If the items are not found, it could cost the government 5.8 million euros. This is because the government stood guarantor for the loan of the artifacts.

Three of the suspects were arrested on January 29, four days after the theft. Another arrest was then made in February, and the fifth suspect was arrested in April.

Police are still searching for a man who was seen on surveillance camera footage in a hardware store in Assen. They believe that the man was also involved in the theft.