Drents Museum suffered a quarter of a million euros in damage after art theft
The Drents Museum suffered approximately 250,000 euros in material damage during the major art theft exactly one year ago, authorities said. The robbery targeted archaeological treasures on loan from the National Historical Museum in Bucharest, Romania, including the golden Cotofenesti helmet and three gold bracelets. None of the stolen objects have been recovered.
The theft occurred overnight on January 24–25, 2025. Three men allegedly used a large firework device, heavier than a Cobra 6 or 8, to blow open a museum door. They then smashed multiple display cases to seize the artifacts. Despite the destruction of the display case, the attempt to steal another helmet worth 3.2 million euros failed.
“The total material damage includes repairs to the blown-up door, display cases, floors, walls, and ceilings, as well as cleaning costs,” a museum spokesperson said.
The Province of Drenthe, the owner of the museum buildings, has partially covered the damage. "We express our deepest gratitude to the province. Their financial contribution helps restore the damage and supports the long-term preservation of Drenthe’s cultural heritage,” the province said.
The museum remained closed for a week following the robbery, and the exhibition space containing the stolen items was unusable for a longer period. In addition to physical damage, the museum faces costs for professional advice and lost visitor revenue.
The stolen items were valued at 5.7 million euros. The golden Cotofenesti helmet, dating from 450 to 400 B.C., was insured for 4.3 million euros, and the three gold bracelets together were worth 1.4 million euros. The Dutch government has compensated the insurer for the full amount, with potential reimbursement if the artifacts are recovered.
Three suspected men remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Assen this spring. The prosecution has so far stated that the suspects were present inside the museum during the theft.
