In a rather unusual case, a valuable 18-carat gold toilet was stolen from Blenheim Palace, the historic birthplace of Winston Churchill, in an operation that could only be described as bold. The theft occurred during the early hours of September 14, 2019, and took less than five minutes, according to a prosecutor at Oxford Crown Court.
Julian Christopher, the attorney for the prosecution, termed it an “audacious raid.” Among the three men on trial, one is accused of stealing the toilet while the others assisted in its sale. Despite extensive searches, the toilet has yet to be recovered and is suspected to have been dismantled and sold for parts.
This unique piece of art, titled “America” and created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is a satirical commentary on excess wealth, weighing in at over 215 pounds and valued at approximately £4.8 million ($6 million). At the time of the theft, the gold alone was worth about £2.8 million ($3.5 million). Previously, the piece had been on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York, where the museum even offered it to then-President Donald Trump after he expressed interest in borrowing a Van Gogh.
The main suspect, Michael Jones, reportedly scoped out Blenheim Palace twice prior to the theft. His reconnaissance included snapping pictures of the palace windows and the toilet’s lock, revealing a careful plan to carry out the burglary. He, along with four other individuals, allegedly broke into the palace early in the morning using two stolen vehicles. They made their way across a field and smashed a window to gain entry, causing extensive damage to the historic building, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It was revealed that Jones had a connection to James Sheen, a builder involved in both the break-in and the subsequent attempts to cash in on the stolen gold. Sheen has already pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy and burglary. Through a series of text messages, he discussed the stolen goods as though they were a vehicle, indicating their intent to sell the gold discreetly.
The other two defendants, Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk, are charged with conspiring to transfer stolen property. All accused individuals have entered not guilty pleas. The trial continues as the court examines the intricate web of theft and conspiracy surrounding this bizarre case.
