Stolen golden helmet from Romania recovered in Netherlands
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Dutch authorities have recovered the priceless 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti golden helmet stolen from a museum in the Netherlands last year, along with two of three stolen golden wristbands.
- The helmet, a revered national treasure from Romania's Dacia civilization, was stolen during a break-in at the Drents Museum in January 2025 using a homemade firework bomb and sledgehammer.
- Although slightly dented, the helmet sustained no permanent damage, while the recovered armbands remain in perfect condition.
- Three men were arrested shortly after the theft, with their trial scheduled to begin in April; prosecutors continue searching for the remaining armband.
- The theft strained Netherlands-Romania relations, with Romanian officials emphasizing the recovery of the artifacts as a national priority.
