Three arrests made over Blenheim Palace gold toilet heist

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WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: "America", a fully-working solid gold toilet, created by Maurizio Cattelan, is seen at Benheim Palace on September 12, 2019 in Woodstock, England. The artwork is still missing following what police believe to be a burglary on September 14, in which the toilet, valued by some at £4.8million, was taken. In 1996, Cattelan famously stole the entire contents of one of his own exhibitions in Amsterdam but has strongly denied any involvement with this latest theft. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Three people have been arrested in connection with the theft of a solid gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.

Read more: Police arrest second man as hunt for Blenheim Palace thieves goes on

Thames Valley police are investigating a burglary on 14 September during which thieves ripped the £4.8m art installation from Winston Churchill’s birthplace.

Police today said they have made three further arrests in connection with the crime as they look to flush out the cuprits, PA Media reported.

“A 35-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, all from Oxford, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit a burglary other than a dwelling. They all remain in police custody,” a spokesman for the force said.

A 36-year-old man from Cheltenham and another 66-year-old man were previously arrested in connection with the theft and have since been released under investigation.

The toilet, named America, was connected to the water supply and installed in a wood-panelled room for visitors to use.

The artist who created the 18-carat bathroom throne has said he was “praying” the burglary turns out merely to be a prank.

Read more: Police bail pensioner as hunt for Blenheim Palace’s stolen toilet continues

But Blenheim Palace chief executive Dominic Hare has dismissed claims that the Italian artist – Maurizio Cattelan – was involved in an elaborate publicity stunt.

Main image credit: Getty