Fact Check: "The £4.8 million gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, just hours after a launch party for the artwork entitled 'America' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan."
What We Know
The claim regarding the £4.8 million gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace is supported by multiple credible sources. The heist took place in September 2019, shortly after a launch party for the artwork titled "America," created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. According to a report by the BBC, thieves broke into the palace and stole the functional 18-carat solid gold toilet just hours after the glamorous event. The heist was executed quickly, taking less than six minutes, and involved the use of stolen vehicles to ram through the gates and smash a window to access the artwork.
The artwork "America" was on display as part of an exhibition and was insured for approximately $6 million (£4.8 million) at the time of the theft (BBC). The heist was meticulously planned, with one of the thieves conducting reconnaissance at the palace the day before the theft (BBC).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from reliable news sources, primarily the BBC, which has extensively covered the case. The reports detail the timeline of events leading up to the theft, including the launch party for "America" and the subsequent burglary. The BBC's coverage includes direct quotes from law enforcement officials and details about the convictions of the individuals involved in the heist, which adds to the credibility of the information provided.
Additionally, the Independent and ITV corroborate the timeline and details of the heist, confirming that it occurred shortly after the launch party. The reports also highlight the audacity of the crime, noting that it was executed with little regard for security, as there were no guards present at the time of the theft (BBC).
While some sources, such as the Daily Mail, provide sensationalized accounts of the event, they still align with the core facts presented by more reputable outlets. The consistency across multiple sources reinforces the reliability of the information.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that the £4.8 million gold toilet heist at Blenheim Palace occurred in September 2019, just hours after a launch party for the artwork "America" by Maurizio Cattelan, is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the timeline and details of the event, establishing the claim as factual.
Sources
- Gold toilet: Two men jailed for £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist - BBC
- Gold toilet: Two men guilty over £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist - BBC
- America (Cattelan) - Wikipedia
- Prosecutor says golden toilet was stolen from English ... - AP News
- Gold toilet: Two men jailed for £4.8m Blenheim Palace heist - BBC
- Two men behind £4.8million golden toilet heist jailed - Daily Mail
- Two men jailed over theft of £4.75 million gold toilet from Blenheim - Independent
- Two men jailed for theft of £4.75m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace - ITV
