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The Drenthe Museum in the Dutch city of Assen has fallen victim to the largest robbery in its 170-year history.
Thieves stole artifacts made of gold from the exhibition that tells the story of the Dacian Kingdom, dating back to 450 BC.
According to the museum, among the stolen items is the main exhibit of the show — a helmet from Coțofenești, crafted from 1 kg of pure gold.
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Helmet from Coțofenești
The robbery occurred early on Saturday morning, January 25. The criminals planted explosives under the museum's doors. The explosion not only blew off the doors but also shattered windows in the museum and nearby buildings.
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Helmet from Coțofenești
As seen on surveillance cameras, three individuals entered the museum. They smashed display cases and took several items, including the helmet and royal bracelets.
The police discovered a stolen vehicle a few kilometers away from the museum, which may have been used by the robbers. Law enforcement agencies from neighboring countries and Interpol are involved in the search.
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Royal bracelets
The exhibition that included the stolen artifacts was set to conclude on Saturday.
Today, staff from the National Museum of Romanian History, which provided the items for this exhibition, were supposed to begin packing the exhibits for their return home.
The stolen helmet is considered a national treasure of Romania. The Romanian Ministry of Culture has stated that it will do everything possible to bring the treasures back to the country.
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Helmet from Coțofenești