Priceless ancient golden helmet stolen in Dutch museum heist recovered a year later

A 2,500-year-old priceless taste icon from Romania that was stolen successful an creation depository heist past year, has been recovered.

The Cotofenesti helmet was recovered much than a twelvemonth aft it was taken successful January 2025, and unveiled this week — nether equipped defender — astatine the Drents Museum successful Assen, successful the northeastern portion of the Netherlands.

The helmet had been connected indebtedness to the depository erstwhile it was taken.

"We are incredibly pleased," Corien Fahner, main authoritative for the North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service, said during a property league unveiling the recovered piece. "It has been a roller-coaster. Especially for Romania, but besides for employees of the Drents Museum."

Three men were arrested past twelvemonth soon aft they allegedly broke into the depository utilizing a homemade firework weaponry and a sledgehammer and took disconnected with the helmet, sparking fears that its astir unsaleable fame would punctual them to melt it down.

FORMER FBI INVESTIGATOR SUGGESTS INSIDE JOB IN MASSACHUSETTS MANSION HEIST AS 'SPECIFIC AND VALUABLE' ITEMS STOLEN

A constabulary serviceman stands beside a 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti helmet from Romania during a quality league Thursday successful Assen, Netherlands. The helmet was recovered aft being stolen. (Aleksandar Furtula/AP Photo)

Grainy information video released by constabulary aft the onslaught showed thieves opening the doorway with a ample crowbar and past causing an explosion.

Romanian Justice Minister Radu Marinescu called the incidental a "crime against our state," adding that recovering the treasures "is an implicit priority."

Two of 3 golden wristbands stolen during the heist person besides been recovered. Fahner said authorities are inactive searching for the 3rd bracelet.

The 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti helmet, a stolen artifact from Romania, was recovered successful the Netherlands and shown during a quality conference, Thursday, successful Assen, Netherlands. (Aleksandar Furtula/AP Photo)

VIDEO SHOWS MASKED THIEVES RAIDING ART MUSEUM ARTIFACTS IN BOLD OVERNIGHT HEIST: OFFICIALS

The instrumentality of the pieces stemmed from a woody made with the men.   

The artifacts were connected show for the past play successful the depository arsenic portion of a six-month grounds erstwhile they were stolen. 

Police officers basal by the 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti helmet recovered successful the Netherlands. (Aleksandar Furtula/AP Photo)

"The helmet is somewhat dented, but determination volition beryllium nary imperishable damage," Drents Museum manager Robert van Langh said during the quality conference. "The armbands are successful cleanable condition."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The suspects’ proceedings is expected to commencement aboriginal this month.