CRIME WATCH
GOLD TOILET STOLEN IN BLENHEIM PALACE
Local Police on Saturday checked the scene of cheeky thieves who stole a solid gold toilet worth 1.25 million U.S. dollars (FJ$2.72 million) from one of Britain’s grandest stately homes, Blenheim Palace.
An 18-carat solid gold toilet has been stolen in a burglary overnight at Blenheim Palace.
The toilet was installed as an art project at the palace, famed as the birthplace of Britain’s war time prime minister Winston Churchill, now home of the Duke of Marlborough. The theft was discovered just two days after the golden bowl was fitted in a toilet suite at Blenheim Palace. Police believe a gang of burglars broke into the palace,
they ripped the toilet from its fittings and escaped in vehicles, causing a trail of significant damage and flooding.
Called America, the 18-carat lavatory was the crowning glory of a new exhibition by the renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The toilet attracted huge crowds when it first went in show at New York’s Guggenheim museum in 2016. The toilet was even connected to the palace’s water system so that visitors could, to use an English idiom, “spend a penny” providing they completed the toilet visit within three minutes.
The palace was closed on Saturday as Police officers scoured the scene of the crime, with media reports saying one man had been arrested.
A Palace official said: “We are saddened by this extraordinary event, but also relieved no-one was hurt.”
Detective Inspector Jess Milne of Thames Valley Police said: “The piece of art that has been stolen is a high value toilet made out of gold that was on display at the palace. “Due to the toilet being plumbed in to the building, this has caused significant damage and flooding. We believe a group offenders used at least two vehicles during the “The artwork has not been recovered at this time but we are conducting a thorough investigation to find it and bring those responsible to justice.” Thames Valley Police said later a 66-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody. Blenheim Palace said on Saturday night the palace would open as usual on Sunday, with the rest Cattelan’s artwork on display until October 27.
The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built as a gift to the first Duke of Marlborough from Queen Anne as a thank you for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It is now one of Britain’s biggest tourist attractions.