Ancient golden helmet found year after it was stolen from museum
Robbers used firework bombs to break into the Drents Museum in 2025, stealing the 5th-century BC golden Helmet of Cotofenesti and three gold bracelets.
Updated on: April 2, 2026 / 11:24 AM EDT / CBS/AFP
Dutch authorities on Thursday showed off a recovered priceless gold 2,500-year-old helmet from Romania that was stolen last year during a brazen heist in the Netherlands .
Flanked by balaclava-clad police officers, a spokesman for Dutch prosecutors unveiled the 5th-century BC golden Helmet of Cotofenesti and two of the three gold bracelets stolen in January 2025.
Dutch police officer Corien Fahner said: "the Cotofenesti helmet and two Dacian gold bracelets have been returned and we are delighted to be able to announce this."
The search for the third bracelet is ongoing, said Fahner.
The theft had sparked outrage in Romania and prompted a huge police search.