Thieves of the ‘$6.8 Million’ Gold Toilet Nabbed After Four Years, But the Toilet Remains Missing and Here is What the Thieves have said
① The $6.8 Million Gold Toilet
Four years after the theft of a gold toilet valued at around $6.8 million from the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the suspects have finally been apprehended. According to the New York Post, on the 7th (local time), British authorities, after a four-year pursuit, arrested a group of four involved in the theft of the gold toilet. However, the whereabouts of the toilet itself remain unknown.
The gold toilet, a creation of Italian sculptor Maurizio Cattelan, was made from 18k gold and named America. The total gold used in the piece was about 103 kilograms, valued at over $4.4 million. This artwork was designed to satirize human greed and excessive wealth. Cattelan was inspired by America’s economic inequality and wealth inheritance.
Cattelan explained, “The gold toilet is art for the 1% for the 99%. Whether you have a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, your consumption has the same outcome. It all ends up in the toilet.”
The golden toilet was displayed at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Central South England, on September 12, 2019. The exhibit attracted attention as visitors could freely use it for three minutes by appointment. The toilet was actually connected to the plumbing.
However, just two days after the exhibition’s opening, the toilet suddenly disappeared, causing an uproar in Britain. Although Blenheim Palace housed several UNESCO World Heritage-listed artworks, only the gold toilet was stolen. The theft caused part of the palace to flood due to damaged plumbing.
Blenheim Palace officials were criticized for their lax attitude following the theft of the gold toilet. Before the exhibition, when concerns about theft were raised, Edward Spencer Churchill, founder of the Blenheim Art Foundation, had stated, “The gold toilet is connected to the plumbing, making it difficult to remove. There are no separate plans to guard it.” Yet, the toilet, worth $6.8 million, was stolen.
② Suspicions of a Staged Theft
After the theft, artist Cattelan denied rumors that the theft was staged. Some speculated that the theft itself might have been a form of art intended to damage the work and spark a social dialogue.
Cattelan responded, “I wish it were a joke.” He continued, “I still believe America is the 1% that owns the 99%, and I hope it continues that way. I’d rather think of the theft as an action inspired by Robin Hood.”
Cattelan’s past actions are part of the reason for the suspicion. In 1996, he stole an entire exhibit from another artist in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to host his show. He described this as a “survival tactic” given only two weeks to prepare for the exhibition, choosing “the path of least resistance.” Although the police intervened, Cattelan was allowed to proceed with his exhibition for several days.
③ Four Suspects Apprehended After Four Years
Immediately after the theft, a 66-year-old man was arrested for investigation, but the toilet’s whereabouts remained unknown. The crime scene was blocked off. Blenheim Palace had never experienced such a theft. Security personnel were present, but a group of men in two cars managed to escape quickly before the security team could respond.
The thieves are believed to have taken advantage of the open exhibition environment and the early morning hours to steal the toilet. The Daily Mail reported that, according to a source, the thieves drove a large vehicle through the gates and into the palace. The discovery of broken windows supported this claim, though the police dismissed it as impossible.
The mystery of how the thieves transported the heavy gold toilet remains unsolved. After a persistent investigation over four years, local police finally apprehended four suspects.
The police stated, “It’s highly likely someone has disposed of it somehow. We can’t be sure if it’s still preserved.” The British authorities announced that James Shin, Bora Kook, Michael Johnson, and Fred Dog will appear in Oxford court on the 28th.
The theft of the gold toilet remains a hot topic in Britain. Most believe that the toilet, after being stolen, was likely melted down and no longer exists.
By. Han Mia
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