The priceless gold helmet stolen from a museum in Assen in January 2025 has been found, Dutch media reported on Thursday morning.

The AD says it has been told by “art detective” Arthur Brand that the helmet has been recovered, following reports from the public prosecution department of “new developments” in the case.

The Drents museum and public prosecution department have called a press conference at 2 pm in Assen to give further details.

The heist occurred at around 3:25 am on a Saturday morning after an explosion shattered windows and caused damage to the museum buildings. The thieves made off with the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, crafted from almost pure gold and dating from 500 BC, along with three gold armbands.

The helmet and three gold armbands had been loaned to the museum by the National History Museum in Bucharest.

The theft led to a diplomatic row between the Dutch government and Romania, and the Dutch eventually paid damages totalling €5.7 million to Romania.

Three people from Heerhugowaard will appear in court in connection with the theft later this month and a fourth will appear before a magistrate in May. Three other people arrested in connection with the case have been released without charge.