Robbery takes places at ancient Olympia Museum
February 17th, 2012 - 9:06 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattAthens, Feb 17 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Greek officials have announced that armed robbers have broken into the Ancient Olympia Museum and made away with several valuable items. Police say between 60 and 70 items were stolen from the museum.
The Ancient Olympia Museum is renowned as the birthplace of modern Olympics. Officials describe the stolen items as “incalculable” explaining that two masked men overpowered a guard at the museum before making away with the items. No arrests have been made by the police so far.
The incident reportedly happened on Friday morning when the thieves broke glasses in the museum. Officials are still waiting for confirmation on the actual things that were taken away by the robbers.
Local mayor Thymios Kotzias told reporters that, “We must wait and see what the local archaeology supervisor will say, but the items were of incalculable value.”
Last month, thieves broke into the Athens National Gallery and made away with three valuable paintings. One of the paintings was that of Picasso. Greek museums are under-secured. About 1,500 guards more are needed to properly secure the various artifacts but the government is short of the required funds to hire the needed addition.
Greece is one of the worst hit EU nations following the global economic meltdown which reached its peak in 2008.
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Tags: ancient olympia, archaeology, armed robbers, artifacts, athens, confirmation, friday morning, global economic meltdown, greek museums, greek officials, incalculable value, modern olympics, museum officials, national gallery, olympia, olympics, paintings, picasso, robbery, thieves