Police find man on island after bizarre museum heist

Sydney Morning Herald

by Cloe Read

February 15, 2026

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Police find man on island after bizarre museum heist

A man has been charged in connection with a bizarre museum heist in Australia, where he allegedly stole priceless Egyptian artifacts from the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology. The suspect, a 52-year-old with no fixed address, smashed a window at the museum early Friday morning and took multiple items, including a statue of a cat and a bust. Police later recovered most of the stolen artifacts intact but are still missing a wooden cat sculpture. The man was arrested on Russell Island after police traced him to a Toyota HiAce camper van in Redland Bay ferry terminal car park. Detectives described the theft as "amateurish," noting that it appeared to be an opportunistic act rather than a sophisticated scheme by organized criminals. The suspect was also charged with trespassing and assault occasioning bodily harm from an earlier incident at a property in Hastings Street, Noosa, where he allegedly trespassed and assaulted a resident after being asked to leave. The museum expressed gratitude to police for their swift response and the recovery of the stolen artifacts, which are now undergoing professional assessment and conservation. The exhibition area sustained damage during the break-in and will require repairs before the artifacts can be displayed again. Museum officials emphasized the importance of preserving these cultural treasures, which belong to a shared global heritage. The case highlights the vulnerability of museums to theft and the challenges of ensuring the safety of priceless artifacts. While the artifacts were recovered, the incident has disrupted the museum's operations and raised questions about security measures in cultural institutions. The man’s charges include break-and-enter, wilful damage, and assault, underscoring the broader implications of his actions beyond just the theft itself.

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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/15/2026