Authorities in Wales are investigating a theft at St. Fagans museum after thieves broke into one of the most prominent Welsh cultural institutions and stole priceless ancient jewelry.
Police say the break-in occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at St. Fagans National Museum in Cardiff, a renowned open-air museum located on the grounds of a 16th-century manor house. The suspects targeted a display of Bronze Age gold artifacts—items nearly 3,000 years old, according to the Welsh heritage service Cadw.
Detective Inspector Bob Chambers said two suspects “forced entry to the main building, where several items, including Bronze Age gold jewelry, have been stolen from a display case.” He added, “An investigation is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.”
Museum Wales, which oversees the institution, confirmed that two men, aged 43 and 50, were arrested but that the search for the stolen artifacts continues. The organization described the heist as targeted and said it was “saddened” by the theft. “We would like to thank South Wales Police for their cooperation in this investigation and their prompt response when they were alerted in the early hours,” a spokesperson said.
The St. Fagans museum theft follows a similar crime just last month, when a 3,000-year-old bracelet was stolen and melted down from Egypt’s national museum—raising new alarms over the security of global cultural treasures.
