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Thieves Convicted in Bold Heist of Golden Toilet from Blenheim Palace

In a remarkable case, two men have been convicted for their roles in the theft of a golden toilet from Blenheim Palace, a famed English country house which is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The theft involved a unique 18-karat work of art valued at over $6 million, and marked a brazen attempt at stealing a piece of contemporary art.

Michael Jones, 39, had reportedly used the fully operational toilet during his reconnaissance at the palace the day prior to the heist. Describing the experience as “splendid,” he returned to the site in the early hours of September 14, 2019, accompanied by at least two accomplices. Armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, they broke a window to remove the toilet. The plumbing connections resulted in significant damage and flooding in the historic building, according to authorities.

Prosecutor Shan Saunders characterized the operation as an “audacious raid” that had been meticulously planned. However, the thieves were not discreet enough, leaving behind a wealth of forensic evidence, including CCTV footage and phone records.

Interestingly, the toilet, nicknamed “America” and created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen only days after its installation at Blenheim Palace. Despite ongoing investigations, the toilet has never been recovered, with authorities believing it was dismantled and sold on the black market.

Cattelan’s creation served as a satirical commentary on wealth and excess, weighing over 215 pounds and originally valued at $3.6 million. In a statement following the theft, Cattelan indicated that he was somewhat amused, hoping the act would be viewed as a “Robin Hood-inspired action.”

During the trial at Oxford Crown Court, it was revealed that James Sheen, 40, played a key role in orchestrating the theft. Sheen had previously admitted guilt to charges of burglary, conspiracy, and transferring stolen property. Following the heist, he sought to broker a deal with Fred Doe, referring to the stolen toilet in coded terms. In a back-and-forth series of text messages, Sheen described the gold as a “car,” which Doe understood as an opportunity for a quick sale.

Doe, known formally as Frederick Sines, was convicted of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. A fourth individual implicated in the scheme, Bora Guccuk, was acquitted of all charges by the jury.

The saga of the golden toilet theft not only highlights the audacity of the criminals involved but also raises questions about the value placed on art and the extremes to which individuals may go in pursuit of wealth.

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