Burglars Pulled Off a U.K. Museum Heist for These Items Worth $3.2M
- Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:04pm by
Becket Adams
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Two Chinese artifacts with an estimated combined value of $3.2 million have been stolen from a British museum, authorities said Saturday.
Two men and a woman from the West Midlands area have been arrested in connection with the Thursday night theft at Durham University’s Oriental Museum, but the items had not yet been recovered, police said.
“We are still attempting to locate numerous outstanding suspects in relation to this investigation,” Detective Chief Inspector Traci McNally said.
18th Century jade bowl
“We believe these folks would be conscious of the police investigation and would urge them to make contact with Durham Police…without delay,” the inspector added.
The northern England-based university confirmed that two “priceless” artifacts were stolen when thieves broke into a ground-floor gallery at the museum: a large jade bowl with a Chinese poem written inside that dates back to 1769, and a Dehua porcelain sculpture.
“We are extremely upset to have fallen victim to such a serious crime,” museum curator Craig Barclay said in a statement. “The two pieces are highly significant in that they are fine examples of artifacts from the Qing Dynasty.”
The museum will be closed until further notice, the university said.
“We are very sorry that our customers have been affected by this incident and intend to reopen as soon as possible,” Barclay said.
Stolen: a mount play and porcelain sculpture
This isn’t the first time the museum has been targeted by art thieves. A rare copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio was taken in 1998, according to The Inquisitr.
“The museum and local police have not revealed what type of security system was in place to help avoid such thefts from occurring, although it’s likely that a better system will be installed after this theft was successful,” the report adds.
The Associated Press contribute to this report.
(H/T: Newser)
Front page photo source: bigdani/flickr.com
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lukerw
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 2:12amI am just not into Chinese Crap!
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 5:04pmAs long as race is constantly being discussed recently due to the post-racial president, anyone see any African art?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:28pmMost likely this was a contracted snatch and grab; or someone in China’s government wanted these pieces back – probably figuring they are ancestral family items and such. The UK government will need good fortune in finding these and the people ultimately responsible.
Probably done with inside help and sufficient bribery that can be backtracked with some skilled work.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:43pmYour post makes sense. Please return to your regularly scheduled program.
Report Post »Seeker of Truth
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:25pmI wonder how many museum heists have occured that aren’t reported to the average joe? Where would you go to find out? What kind of trend is this? Is this a passing thing or is it a build up?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:27amWhen times get tough… the tough steal more. So, given Insurance coverage… Insurance Companies do not want to stimulate the industry by reporting increased activity!
Report Post »IndyGuy
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:18pmHere in North Cali some thieves broke into the courthouse and made off with about $3 million in gold nuggets….The alarm wasn’t on at the time….this was a couple months ago…I‘m guessin’ those nuggets have already been melted down and sold….I‘m also guessin’ it was an inside job…
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:28pmWhat town was this…?
Report Post »IndyGuy
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 12:21amYreka….Siskiyou County…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:23amAnyone know… where I can buy some cheap Gold?
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