Dutch authorities continue to advance their inquiry into the high-profile burglary and theft that occurred on 25 January 2025 at the Drents Museum in Assen with an expanded suspect list that now includes seven individuals.  In the early morning hours of that day, a group of individuals accomplices set off explosives to force open a door to the museum and made off with four significant artefacts on loan from Romania: the Dacien golden helmet of Cotofenesti and three gold bangles.

Following the museum's theft, Dutch law enforcement launched an intensive investigation involving forensic analysis, surveillance footage review, and interagency cooperation.

The first breakthrough came on 29 January when three individuals from Heerhugowaard were taken into custody. The Dutch police publicly identified two of the suspects as Douglas Chesley Wendersteyt and Bernhard Zeeman, releasing both their names and photographs to the public. The third person arrested arrested was not named but is reported to be the partner of one of the suspects.

On 20 February, investigators arrested a fourth possible co-conspirator, a 26-year-old man from the nearby village of Obdam.  Around the same time, authorities announced they were actively seeking an additional suspect captured on CCTV footage wearing a Nike cap and glasses and visiting a hardware store in Assen shortly before the burglary.

The investigation continued into the spring, and on 5 April, a fifth potential accomplice—aged 36—was apprehended during a raid on a residence in Alkmaar, where the premises were thoroughly searched for evidence.

Yesterday, the list of suspects grew to seven, with two more individuals, a 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old man, both from Heerhugowaard, taken into custody. Authorities confirmed that one of them is the same individual previously seen in the CCTV footage from the hardware store.  Earlier in the day, the police had already searched a house in Opmeer and a business premises in Heerhugowaard.

According to the news site Europesays, of the seven, six suspects reportedly remain in custody, with the seventh released but still considered a suspect in the case.

Despite these arrests, the stolen Romanian artefacts remain missing. The ancient golden helmet and bracelets are considered significant cultural property, and their recovery remains a top priority with a reward for the golden tip that leads to their recovery being set at 250 thousand euros, an amount offered by the Dutch entrepreneur Alex van Breemen, who lives in Bucharest.

Dutch authorities continue to appeal to the public for information that may lead to the recovery of the stolen items. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact investigators via the dedicated email: tips-assen@politie.nl.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Meld Misdaad Anoniem.

This case remains open, and further developments are expected as forensic analysis and interrogations continue. The investigation is being treated as a coordinated criminal operation, and authorities are examining links to broader organised networks.

Anyone with information related to the theft is urged to contact the Dutch police through their tip lines or via email at tips-assen@politie.nl. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Meld Misdaad Anoniem.