Major breakthrough in hunt for thieves who stole £5m solid gold loo from stately home four years ago
POLICE hunting thieves who nicked a £5million solid gold loo four years ago hope charges are finally in the pipeline.
They have sent a file to prosecutors over the raid at Blenheim Palace.
The Crown Prosecution Service will now decide whether to charge any of the seven suspects arrested.
A gang broke into the palace at Woodstock near Oxford just before 5am in September 2019.
They ripped the newly installed toilet from the floor, leaving behind just the flushing mechanism and a loo roll.
The golden lavatory, made from 18-carat gold, was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.
It was on display as part of an exhibition titled America, designed to represent the USA’s wealth and excess.
At the time, Cattelan said: “At first, when they woke me up with the news, I thought it was a prank. Who’s so stupid as to steal a toilet?”
The thieves drove off with the 14-stone loo in two cars.
Water from severed pipes flooded the wood-panelled lavatory chamber — next to a room where wartime PM Sir Winston Churchill was born.
Art crime experts believe the loo has been smelted down to make jewellery.
The seven people arrested in connection with the theft, but not yet charged, are six men aged 36 to 68 and a woman, 38.
Thames Valley Police said last night: “A number of individuals remain released under investigation in relation to this case.
“A file of evidence is with the CPS for a decision to be made on any charges.”