5 sentenced in Germany in $130 million museum heist

In Germany, the court gave its verdict on the historical robbery that made the country's agenda in 2019. 

5 PEOPLE SENTENCED

Five gang members who stole 18th century jewels worth approximately 130 million dollars from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Saxony, were sentenced to 4 to 6 years in prison by the court, Ihlas News Agency reported.

The Dresden District Court found the suspects, aged 24-29, guilty of wounding a man, armed robbery, property damage and arson to destroy evidence. 

The sixth defendant in the case was acquitted after his reasons were accepted.

ROBBERY LASTED 5 MINUTES

The historic robbery took place at the Green Vault Museum in the Dresden Royal Palace on November 25, 2019. 

After setting fire to an electrical box a few meters from the museum, the thieves entered the building through a window, broke the showcase with an axe, took the jewels and fled the the area in a vehicle. 

After the robbery, which lasted about 5 minutes, the thieves burned the vehicle they used in a parking lot.

CRIMINALS CAUGHT MONTHS LATER

Police determined that the security camera was recording during the robbery despite the power outage at the museum and launched a nationwide operation to catch the thieves. 

Some of those involved in the robbery were caught months later in a raid in the capital Berlin. 

SOME OF THE JEWELRY WAS FOUND

While the authorities stated that at least 40 people were involved in the incident, it was announced that some of the jewelry stolen in the robbery was found. 

Many suspects in the meticulously planned and high-profile heist have yet to be found.

The Green Vault, built in Dresden in 1723, is known as one of the oldest museums in the world. The museum contains approximately 4,000 pieces of jewelry crafted with stones such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

Source: Ihlas News Agency