Fact Check: In October 2019, just one month after the heist, police arrested Sheen and Jones but they were subsequently released.

Fact Check: "In October 2019, just one month after the heist, police arrested Sheen and Jones but they were subsequently released."

What We Know

In October 2019, police arrested James 'Jimmy' Sheen and Michael Jones in connection with the theft of a £4.8 million gold toilet from Blenheim Palace, which occurred in September 2019. The arrest took place about a month after the heist, but both men were subsequently released without being charged at that time (BBC, Sky News). The investigation was extensive, involving the analysis of numerous digital devices and forensic evidence, which delayed formal charges against them for several years (BBC, AOL).

Sheen was later convicted of burglary and other charges in 2024, while Jones was found guilty of burglary in March 2025 (BBC, Sky News). The police's initial decision to release them after the arrest was attributed to the need for further investigation and the complexity of the evidence involved (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that Sheen and Jones were arrested in October 2019 and subsequently released is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The BBC, a reputable news organization, confirmed that both men were arrested on October 16, 2019, but were released on bail shortly thereafter (BBC). This aligns with reports from Sky News and AOL, which also detail their arrest and release without charges at that time (Sky News, AOL).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news outlets known for their journalistic standards. The information provided is consistent across these reports, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim. Furthermore, the context surrounding the arrests—specifically the extensive investigation and the forensic challenges faced by law enforcement—adds credibility to the narrative that led to their release (BBC, Sky News).

Conclusion

The claim that "In October 2019, just one month after the heist, police arrested Sheen and Jones but they were subsequently released" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the timeline of their arrest and subsequent release, as well as the complexities involved in the investigation that delayed formal charges against them.

Sources

1. Two men jailed for £4.8m gold toilet heist - BBC
2. Gold toilet: Two men guilty over £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist - BBC
3. Two men jailed for their roles in theft of £4.75m gold toilet - Sky News
4. Two men jailed for £4.8m gold toilet heist - AOL
5. Two men to be sentenced over £4.75 million gold toilet heist - The Impartial Reporter
6. Two men jailed over theft of £4.75 million gold toilet from - The Independent
7. Two UK men jailed for 'brazen' gold toilet heist - Yahoo News
8. Pair jailed for burglary of £4.75m golden toilet from - Central Fife Times