CCTV footage presented in a UK court captured the audacious theft of an 18-carat gold toilet from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Prosecutors revealed that the heist occurred in the early hours of 14 September 2019, with three men seen rushing to a getaway car, one of them clutching the luxurious toilet seat.
The unique piece of artwork, titled “America” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was valued at £4.8 million (approximately $9.54 million), reflecting the cost of both its artistic merit and the gold’s market value, which was around £2.8 million ($5.57 million). Weighing in at over 98 kilograms, this satirical commentary on wealth had previously been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Despite extensive investigations, the toilet remains missing, with authorities believing it may have been dismantled and sold off. The jury was also shown footage of the accused burglars visiting the museum prior to the theft, adding to the mounting evidence against them.
Michael Jones, aged 39, faces burglary charges, while associates Fred Doe, 36, and Bora Guccuk, 41, are charged with conspiring to transfer stolen property. All three men have pleaded not guilty, whereas a fourth individual, James Sheen, 40, has already admitted guilt pertaining to the burglary.
This remarkable case continues to unfold, highlighting not only the absurdity of the crime but also the lengths to which thieves will go to acquire valuable art.