{"id":8102,"date":"2018-02-23T13:15:17","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T21:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/?p=8102"},"modified":"2018-04-08T10:06:19","modified_gmt":"2018-04-08T17:06:19","slug":"fbi-recovers-stolen-terracotta-digit-a-cautionary-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/fbi-recovers-stolen-terracotta-digit-a-cautionary-tale\/","title":{"rendered":"FBI Recovers Stolen Terracotta Digit, A Cautionary Tale"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We all know that events are a major life-line for many museums, a necessary evil some might say. Whether you love them or hate them, they will continue to be an area of contention for those of us who strive to keep them safe and accessible. What do all of you do to maintain security for your works?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do you increase security staff during events?<\/li>\n<li>Do you lock down certain doors?<\/li>\n<li>Do you hope and pray for the best?<\/li>\n<li>Do you do more for loaned works than your own collection?<\/li>\n<li>Are you just waiting for something catastrophic to happen so you can say &#8220;I told you so, and here&#8217;s what we really need to be doing?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Wherever you fall here&#8217;s a case you can point to in defense of doing more. Fortunately the stolen work was recovered, unfortunately conservation will be required (at a hefty price of course) and the work will never quite be the same. Then there are the implications from allowing such a thing happen in your museum. Will word get out to where other institutions won&#8217;t lend to you? How is your reputation after an incident like this? There could be real implications for being caught up in an event like this. This story comes courtesy of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/nation-now\/2018\/02\/14\/franklin-institute-warrior-statue-thumb-stolen\/337059002\/\"><em>Courier-Post.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>STORY (Feb 14, 2018):<\/h4>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">You think the Super Bowl\u2019s a reason for vandalism in downtown Philly? Apparently, the holiday season\u2019s not much better.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\">Federal authorities say a guest at a museum\u2019s Ugly Sweater Party in December slipped into a closed exhibit and snipped off part of a sculpture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">More precisely, the intruder took a thumb \u2014\u00a0from a $4.5 million terracotta warrior that\u2019s part of an acclaimed exhibit on loan from China at The Franklin Institute.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">He also took a selfie, but we\u2019ll get to that later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Now, this had to be an indignity for the life-size clay soldier known as the Cavalryman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">After all, he was part of a \u201cTerracotta Army\u201d that provided after-life security at the burial complex of China\u2019s first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi. The statues, which date from around 209 B.C., are on display at\u00a0the museum through March 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Adding to the ignominy: The Cavalryman wasn\u2019t the victim of a daring burglar who rappelled down from a skylight.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-QqGpqPfxtP0\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\">\n<div id=\"attachment_8104\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542127617554755-terracotta-warrior-021418-2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto[image-8102]\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8104\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8104\" src=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542127617554755-terracotta-warrior-021418-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542127617554755-terracotta-warrior-021418-2.jpg 540w, https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542127617554755-terracotta-warrior-021418-2-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542127617554755-terracotta-warrior-021418-2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8104\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A party-goer is accused of taking a thumb from an exhibit of terracotta statues on loan from China to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.\u00a0(Photo: Photo provided)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Instead, a young man in a long-sleeved green sweater and a Phillies cap simply walked into the darkened exhibit during a Dec. 21 \u201cScience After Hours\u201d party, says an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Jacob Archer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">A surveillance video shows\u00a0the guest alone with \u201ca priceless part of China\u2019s cultural heritage,\u201d reports \u00a0Archer, a member of the FBI\u2019s Art Crime Team who once pursued drug dealers and other criminals in South Jersey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The exhibit contains 10 statues, including a general, a charioteer and a saddled horse. If you\u2019re a collector, that\u2019s a potential haul of up to 18 thumbs \u2014\u00a0and four hooves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Gold ornaments, jade pieces and coins are among more than 170 accompanying artifacts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-QqGpqPflbjk\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\">\n<div id=\"attachment_8103\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542093590492620-cavalryman.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto[image-8102]\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8103\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8103\" src=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542093590492620-cavalryman.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542093590492620-cavalryman.jpg 540w, https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542093590492620-cavalryman-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636542093590492620-cavalryman-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8103\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A terracotta statue lost his thumb to an intruder at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, authorities say.\u00a0(Photo: Photo provided)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The security system, on the other hand, was not impressive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">A door to the exhibit was closed, but apparently unlocked. Beyond that, the intruder had to figure out how to get past \u2014 well, a black rope hung between stanchions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">In a statement Wednesday night, The Franklin Institute said \u201cstandard closing procedures were not followed\u201d by a security contractor on the night of the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">\u201cAs a result of this incident, we have thoroughly reviewed our security protocol and procedures and have taken appropriate action where needed,\u201d the institution said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The facility also said it has \u201cmultiple levels of security in place to ensure the safety of our artifacts\u201d and noted an internal investigation gave the FBI \u201cthe information necessary to identify the suspect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-position-70\" class=\"partner-placement partner-spike partner-placement-visible\" data-monetization-id=\"native-article_link\" data-monetization-sizes=\"fluid,3,3\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-nj-cherryhill-C1013-native-article_link-news-local-crime-72\" class=\"ad-slot\" data-google-query-id=\"CKaRspj2stkCFcK8ZAodNosG0g\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/nj-cherryhill-C1013\/native-article_link\/news\/local\/crime_0__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/nj-cherryhill-C1013\/native-article_link\/news\/local\/crime_0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/nj-cherryhill-C1013\/native-article_link\/news\/local\/crime_0\" width=\"3\" height=\"3\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Archer\u2019s affidavit, filed Friday in federal court in\u00a0Philadelphia, says the alleged intruder\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Michael Rohana of Bear, Delaware \u2014\u00a0entered the room briefly, then apparently invited two friends at the party for a private tour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Surveillance video shows the trio entered the exhibit at 9:15 p.m., with Rohana\u2019s friends leaving quickly. But Rohana allegedly lingered for a few minutes, using his cellphone as a flashlight to look at the figures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">At one point, he stepped onto a platform holding a warrior, \u201cplaced his arm around that sculpture and took a photograph of himself with the sculpture,\u201d Archer says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">And just before he left the room, Rohana \u201cappeared to break something off the Cavalryman\u2019s left hand and put it in his left pocket,\u201d says the agent, who formerly served on the Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and a unit targeting violent criminals and gang members in South Jersey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">A museum staffer noted the digit\u2019s disappearance on Jan. 8, bringing Archer to the tourist attraction on the Ben Franklin Parkway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Surveillance video and credit card information established that Rohana had attended the party with five friends from Delaware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">One of the friends said she heard Rohana discussing the thumb on the ride home, according to the affidavit, part of a criminal complaint charging him with theft of major artwork from a museum and other offenses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Another friend said Rohana posted a photo of \u201ca finger\u201d from a terracotta warrior on his Snapchat account one day after the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Archer interviewed Rohana at his family\u2019s home on Jan. 13, asking \u201cif he had anything in his possession that he wanted to turn over to the FBI.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Gulp.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Rohana led the agent to his bedroom \u201cand retrieved the stolen thumb from the top right drawer of a desk,\u201d the account says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Archer returned the thumb to the museum, which is now preparing for the next party in its monthly after-hours series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The theme of that Feb. 27 event is \u201cLove and Lust,\u201d by the way. No chance of anything going wrong there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><em>Jim Walsh: jwalsh@gannettnj.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-image: url(data:image\/svg+xml; base64,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); background-size: 14px 14px; background-color: #bd081c; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; border: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; top: 1563px; left: 20px; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;\">Save<\/span><span style=\"border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-image: url(data:image\/svg+xml; base64,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); background-size: 14px 14px; background-color: #bd081c; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; border: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; top: 1563px; left: 20px; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;\">Save<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; parallax_style=&#8221;vcpb-default&#8221; bg_image_new=&#8221;id^8019|url^https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/collection-of-solutions-versatile-wood-flooring-\u2013-supply-and-fit-specialists-of-es-and-marvelous-wooden-floor-of-wooden-floor11.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Blue Floor|description^null&#8221; bg_image_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; bg_img_attach=&#8221;fixed&#8221; bg_image_posiiton=&#8221;100%&#8221; parallax_content=&#8221;parallax_content_value&#8221; parallax_content_sense=&#8221;60&#8243; fadeout_row=&#8221;fadeout_row_value&#8221; 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Whether you love them or hate them, they will continue to be an area of contention for those of us who strive to keep them safe and accessible. What do all of you do to maintain security [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":8105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[334,333],"tags":[616,615,617,581,618,614],"gp_videos":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/636541954093774416-terracotta-warrior-3.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8102"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8102"},{"taxonomy":"gp_videos","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museumtrade.org\/customcat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gp_videos?post=8102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}