Thieves steal 17th century Dutch paintings worth $13 million
The robbers took 15 to 20 paintings from the Westfries Museum
 
The Associated Press
Originally published January 10, 2005, 9:54 AM EST
HOORN, Netherlands -- Thieves broke into a museum in the northern
Netherlands and stole a series of 17th century Dutch paintings worth an
estimated $13 million, the Westfries Museum said Monday.

The robbers took 15 to 20 paintings and a substantial portion of the 125
year-old museum's silver collection on Sunday night without setting off the
alarm, a statement said.

Among the stolen works were paintings by Jan van Goyen, Jacob Waben,
Matthias Withoos, Jan Rietschoof, Jan Linsen and Herman Henstenburg.

"The heart of our collection is gone, including top artworks of national
importance. They were mostly unique pieces which are irreplaceable," the
museum statement said.

The museum said its advanced security system had been checked on Thursday
and that it could not explain how it had been possible. Employees discovered
the theft Monday morning when they found smashed display cases, broken doors
and empty frames. 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/


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