Romanian Minister to discuss museum robbery with PM, King; Getaway car stolen in Alkmaar

The Romanian Minister of Culture plans to discuss the art theft in the Drents Museum with Prime Minister Dick Schoof and members of the Royal Family on Monday around the commemoration of the liberation of the Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz 80 years ago. A car used in the burglary had been stolen a few days earlier in Alkmaar, the police said.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced the meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister and Royals in a post on Facebook. According to the Romanian Prime Minister, Minister of Culture Natalia Intotero will convey the “strong message” of the Romanian government that the stolen pieces must be found as soon as possible.

During the break-in at the museum early on Saturday, four pieces were stolen that the museum had on loan from the National Historical Museum of Romania. It concerns a golden helmet from around 450 BC and three golden bracelets from around 50 BC.

According to a spokesperson for Schoof and the government information service RVD, no official meetings are planned between the Romanian Minister of Culture, Prime Minister Schoof, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, or Princess Amalia. But they may meet on the sidelines of the commemoration in Poland.

A car that the police believe was involved in the burglary was stolen from Ingelandstraat in Alkmaar a few days earlier. It involves a dark gray Volkswagen Golf. The vehicle drove away from the museum after the robbery and was found burned out under a viaduct near Rolde a short time later.

The car was stolen between 8:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, according to the police. At 4:20 a.m. on Thursday, the car was seen on the Julianaplein in Groningen with license plates that had also been stolen that night on the Van Aylvaweg in Witmarsum. Approximately 48 hours later, the car was spotted again in the vicinity of the Drents Museum, shortly after the burglary on Saturday morning around 3:45 a.m.

The police called it “very important” to know where the car was between Thursday morning and Saturday morning. “That can help us further in the search for people who were involved in the break-in.” The Volkswagen may have been parked in the vicinity of Groningen, the north of Drenthe, or around Assen. People who noticed the car are asked to come forward. The police are also looking for camera images of the places where the car and license plate were stolen.

The police have images that show a fire starting in the car. It also shows another vehicle stopping nearby and driving away in the direction of Nooitgedacht shortly after the arson. That happened around 3:50 a.m. on Saturday. The police would also like information and dashcam images about this possible second getaway car.