Prosecutors drop charges against three co-suspects for Romanian art heist in Assen

Three of the four co-suspects in the Assen art theft case will not be prosecuted. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) thinks that its role is too small to prosecute. “Although they assisted the main suspects with supporting actions, the OM believes it cannot be proven that they knew their actions were connected to the theft,” the OM reported on Thursday.

Four highly valuable Romanian art pieces were stolen during the theft on January 25, 2025. The stolen objects were part of an exhibition named Dacia- Rijk van goud en zilver. The case involves the famous golden Cotofenesti helmet and three gold bracelets. Three men from Heerhugowaard are the main suspects and are in custody.

The OM reported that a 26-year-old man from Heerhugowaard is the only co-suspect who will be prosecuted. He is suspected of stealing license plates and is being summoned for a closed hearing for the OM.

The main suspects have been charged with theft and vandalizing the museum by setting off a fireworks bomb, a flashbanger Ti-Rex, at a goods entrance at the back of the museum. Jan B., 20, and Bernhard Z., 35, are also suspected of stealing the getaway car, which later burned out.

This car drove away from the museum after the theft and was later found burned out under a viaduct near Rolde. B. said that the 36-year-old Douglas Chesley W. was the mastermind behind the heist.

All three suspects are using their right to remain silent.