The four pieces of major Romanian cultural heritage, including the historic golden crown of Coţofeneşti, were stolen from the Dutch museum on 25 January 2025. To gain access, the perpetrators used massive force and explosives to steal the crown and three ancient golden bracelets. Soon after the theft, three suspects were arrested in the Netherlands, but the art was not found. Investigations continued to retrieve the valuable cultural heritage.

Immediately after the theft, a joint investigation team was set up to enable cooperation between Dutch and Romanian authorities. This made it possible for investigators to exchange information in real time and jointly carry out operations. Four coordination meetings at Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague were organised to allow the authorities to come together. Up until the recovery of the art in April 2026, Dutch and Romanian investigators continued to cooperate closely under coordination from Eurojust, leading to the successful result announced today.

On 2 April 2026, authorities were able to reveal that three art pieces were successfully recovered, including the helmet of Coţofeneşti. The trial against the three suspects arrested in spring 2025 is expected to start later this month in the Netherlands. Investigations are continuing to also recover the last stolen bracelet.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office Noord Nederland; National Police
• Romania: Prosecution Office Attached to the High Court of Cassation; Justice-Criminal Investigation Section; Criminal Investigation Department; Criminal Investigation; Forensic Office; IGPR-Criminal Investigation Direction; Romanian Police