Overview
- Following the overnight burglary that emptied Zilvermuseum Doesburg, local museum De Roode Tooren removed its silver from public cases, saying its security is not sufficient.
- Thieves forced entry through two doors into the Grote Kerk space, smashed display cases, disabled cameras after a brief alarm, and took more than 300 silver objects.
- Police sealed the scene, are processing forensic traces and reviewing footage, conducting neighborhood inquiries, and say no suspects have been identified as they ask witnesses to come forward.
- The stolen collection, assembled over two decades by Martin de Kleijn, spans roughly 1700 to 1920 across more than 25 countries and includes unique commissions such as a mustard pot by silversmith Marcel Blok.
- The museum has filed a report, closed its doors, convened a crisis meeting, and plans crowdfunding and loan appeals as experts, including Arthur Brand, warn the haul will likely be melted for bullion after prices roughly doubled since October 2025.