Man Stole Medieval Skull From Church and Sealed it in Concrete, Police Say
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Czech police arrested a 35-year-old man for stealing what is believed to be the skull of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from the Basilica of St. Lawrence and St. Zdislava in Jablonne v Podjestedi.
- The skull was kept in an ornate glass case that was smashed shortly before an evening mass, with the church's alarm turned off at the time.
- Security footage showed the suspect dressed in black at the church, who later changed clothes and fled by taxi; he was traced to Mlada Boleslav and admitted to the theft.
- The man sealed the skull in concrete and planned to dispose of it in a river, citing his opposition to the church displaying the relic.
- Police continue to investigate the whereabouts of the skull after the suspect revealed its fate during interrogation.