Oriental Museum’s stolen artefacts found
by Julia Chapman
Police have recovered the two artefacts stolen from Durham University’s Oriental Museum on 5th April.
The porcelain Dehua sculpture and jade bowl, collectively valued at over £2m, were found on Saturday, according to a police spokeswoman.
The artefacts were stolen in a well-planned heist believed to have been arranged by collectors, and were likely targeted for their high monetary value.
A group of thieves spent forty minutes chiselling a three-foot wide hole in the wall of the Oriental Museum, and having gained entry were inside for under a minute, breaking the cabinets containing the two artefacts and fleeing immediately after obtaining the relics.
Five suspects were arrested last week and were subsequently released on bail until June. Durham Police are still seeking Adrian Stanton and Lee Wildman who are believed to be connected to the theft.
The university has announced the intention to reopen its doors on Monday following over a week of closure since the incident.
Most Commented