Three men have been convicted in connection with the audacious heist of a unique gold toilet created by artist Maurizio Cattelan from Blenheim Palace. Michael Jones was found guilty of burglary, as he used the fully functioning toilet for reconnaissance before it was stolen. The thieves, armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, quickly secured the toilet, leaving significant damage in their wake. The artwork, titled “America,” was worth nearly £5 million and had previously been on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York. James Sheen, who planned the heist, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, while Fred Doe was convicted of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. The gold toilet has never been recovered, believed to have been cut up and sold. The men left a trail of evidence, including forensics, CCTV footage, and incriminating phone data, leading to their convictions. The theft was a meticulously planned operation that gained widespread attention due to the boldness of stealing a functioning piece of artwork from such a prominent location. The case highlights the lengths some individuals are willing to go to for financial gain, even at the expense of destroying a valuable and unique work of art.
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