Thieves stole a £2.8 million gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in just five minutes, court hears. Toilet not yet found.
An artist from Italy made this unique toilet, named “America.” The toilet was fully functional and made of 18-carat gold. It weighed 98kg and was insured for £4.75 million.
The thieves broke in with a sledgehammer, executing an audacious raid that took only five minutes. Soon after, two men used ‘car’ as a code name and contacted a jeweler about the valuable gold.
Michael Jones, Frederick Sines, and Bora Guccuk all deny involvement in the crime. They are charged with handling stolen property.
The thieves drove stolen trucks to the palace and broke down a door to reach the toilet. Water poured out as they removed it, suggesting the heist required careful planning.
A photo was taken before the theft occurred; prosecutors believe it was part of the planning. The gold toilet has never been found, leading to speculation that it was melted down.
Doe and Guccuk allegedly helped sell the gold later. James Sheen has already admitted to the burglary. Police arrested Jones after he searched for news about the stolen toilet.
Phone data places Sheen, Doe, and Guccuk near the jeweler a few days after the toilet went missing. The trial is still ongoing in court.