Ermittler suchen erneut nach gestohlenem Kelten-Goldschatz
More than three years after the theft of a Celtic gold treasure from the Kelten Römer Museum in Manching, Bavaria, investigators are conducting a new search for the missing loot. Four perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms in July 2025, but only a small portion of the stolen gold coins was recovered. Now, based on new intelligence, Bavarian state police are searching the property of the main suspect and his partner in Plate, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, using X-ray and radar technology. They believe 411 gold coins and a gold casting ingot—about three kilograms of gold—are professionally hidden there, along with cash from other burglaries. The suspect's partner is under investigation for money laundering for allegedly offering to help sell the gold.
This case matters because it highlights the ongoing challenge of recovering looted cultural heritage, even after convictions. The Celtic gold treasure is a significant archaeological artifact, and its disappearance represents a major loss to Bavaria's cultural history. The use of advanced forensic techniques and international task forces underscores the seriousness with which authorities treat art and antiquities theft, and the search could set a precedent for how such cases are pursued across Europe.