Berlin Authorities Arrested Three Suspects for a Big Art Heist

Almost one year ago, a news story emerged that sounded like it was straight out of the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. Early in the morning on a Monday in Dresden, Germany, thieves had succeeded in breaking into the “Green Vault” of the Royal Palace. They triggered a power cut to the vault by setting off a fire alarm. The thieves managed to escape before authorities were able to intervene and stole an incredible volume of treasures, which were estimated to be worth around one billion euros: The treasures included three sets of 18th-century jewelry, where the legendary 49-carat Dresden white diamond was present. Also, there was a sword that has 779 diamonds encrusted in its hilt. One year later, though, new reports say that three people were detained as suspects for the art heist.

Authorities Raided Several Apartments to Arrest the Suspects for the Art Heist

Authorities in Berlin apprehended the unnamed alleged culprits after raiding several apartments. The Berlin police confirmed that they had searched eighteen apartments, as well as vehicles and other spaces. They looked for the jewelry and additional evidence, including tools and digital data. The detained potential suspects were all Germans and were arrested on suspicion of theft and arson. The German press has described the robbery as the biggest theft in the country since World War 2 and possibly the most significant art heist in modern history.

The Stolen Jewels Are Yet to Be Recovered

While the suspects were apprehended, the missing jewels were not found. The jewels themselves are priceless 18th-century items that were made during the rivalry between King Louis XIV of France and Augustus the Strong of Saxony Germany. The rival rulers were striving to prove their country’s jewels were more amazing than the other, producing true masterpieces in the process. In addition to the other treasures, the thieves stole cultural artifacts and jewels, the worth of which the interior minister Roland Wöller of Saxony said was impossible to estimate.