LONDON (AP) — Two burglars involved in the audacious theft of a $6.4 million golden toilet, a fully-functional 18-karat piece of contemporary art, have been sentenced to more than two years in a British prison. The exquisite toilet, titled "America" by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of British wartime leader Winston Churchill, in September 2019.
The theft, which took place just days after the artwork was put on display, was executed by a gang of five burglars who managed to complete the operation within a mere 5.5 minutes. Judge Ian Pringle, at Oxford Crown Court, noted that the toilet has never been recovered since the heist. It is believed to have been destroyed and sold off in parts.
James Sheen, 40, a roofer, pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy, and transferring criminal property. He received a four-year prison sentence. His accomplice, Michael Jones, 39, who was convicted of burglary at trial, was sentenced to two years and three months. The unique piece of art weighed just over 215 pounds (98 kilograms) and held more value than its weight in gold, with an insurance valuation of 4.7 million pounds (over $6 million).
This striking piece of art, which made a commentary on consumer culture, had previously been displayed at The Guggenheim Museum in New York. During the Trump administration, when former U.S. President Donald Trump requested to borrow a Van Gogh painting, the museum humorously offered the golden toilet instead, a suggestion that the White House declined.
Prior to the theft, Jones visited the Guggenheim twice, even booking a private viewing the day before the burglary to take photographs and assess security. He later described his experience as "splendid" during his testimony. On the day of the theft, the group broke into Blenheim Palace before dawn using two stolen vehicles, causing significant damage as they smashed a window to access the toilet.
Surveillance footage captured one masked burglar leaving the palace with the toilet seat in hand, while others appeared to load the heavy toilet into the trunk of a getaway car. Sheen's DNA was traced to a sledgehammer left at the scene, and investigators found gold fragments on a pair of sweatpants in his home, linking him to the crime. Furthermore, Sheen had sent a relative a photograph of £520,000 in cash, suggesting it was linked to the sale of the stolen gold.
Despite the investigation's progress, neither the stolen toilet nor the money has been recovered, and no additional suspects have been charged. Detective Superintendent Bruce Riddell of Thames Valley Police indicated that the investigation remains active. Authorities believe they know the identities of at least two more individuals involved but currently lack sufficient evidence for prosecution. Another defendant, Frederick Doe, 37, who attempted to assist Sheen in finding a buyer for the gold, received a suspended sentence for conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Both Sheen and Jones have lengthy criminal histories. At the time of the burglary, Sheen was already on parole for a serious firearms conviction linked to a violent incident. His criminal activities have since led to a total sentence of over 19 years in prison. Meanwhile, Jones has a record that stretches back to his teenage years, including multiple burglaries and thefts.
Interestingly, the burglary happened on a Friday the 13th, often considered an unlucky day, which initially seemed to favor the thieves. They evaded legal repercussions for over four years until they faced justice. Ultimately, however, Sheen and Jones were held accountable for their involvement in this high-profile theft on that fateful date.
