Romanian gold artifacts worth millions recovered in deal with museum heist suspects

The Dutch authorities have recovered the Helmet of Cotofenesti and two of three golden Dacian bracelets stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen in January 2025, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced at a press conference in Assen on Thursday. The Romanian treasures were handed over to the authorities as part of court agreements the OM made with the three suspects in custody for the heist.

Art detective Arthur Brand and other sources reported earlier on Thursday that the treasures had been recovered. The OM confirmed that at the press conference with a dramatic unveiling, pulling back a black cloth to reveal the helmet and bracelets in a glass case.

Corien Fahner, the head public prosecutor at the OM Noord-Nederland, said that the Dutch authorities were “incredibly happy” that these stolen artifacts have been recovered. Both for the Romanian people, who are getting back important pieces from their cultural heritage, and for the employees of the Drents Museum, who have been living in turmoil for the past 14 months.

She did not elaborate on what deals the OM made with the three suspects: Jan B. (21), Douglas Chesley W. (37), and Bernhard Z. (35), all from Heerhugowaard. The OM will explain that during their trial, which starts on April 14.

Fahner also said that the investigators have found no indications that any other suspects were involved in the heist. The investigation to find the third stolen bracelet continues unabated.

The press conference was also attended by two Romanian prosecutors, who flew in specifically for the unveiling of the recovered artifacts. They said that they are “grateful that we can return these treasures to the Romanian people,” and also stressed that the joint investigation team continues to investigate the whereabouts of the third golden bracelet.

The Dacian art treasures are Romanian cultural heritage. They were on loan to the Drents Museum from the National History Museum in Bucharest when they were stolen during the early hours of January 25, 2025. The helmet of Cotofenesti is around 2,500 years old. The stolen treasures were insured for €5.7 million.