RIn the early hours of September 14, 2019, a group of thieves executed a daring heist at Blenheim Palace, making off with a solid 18-carat gold toilet valued at £4.8 million. The artwork, titled 'America' by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan, had been installed just days prior as part of an exhibition. The fully functional toilet was connected to the palace's plumbing system, and its removal caused significant water damage and flooding. ​

More than five years later, three men have been convicted for their roles in the theft. Michael Jones, 39, was found guilty of burglary, while Fred Doe, 36, was convicted of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. James Sheen, 40, had previously pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy, and transferring criminal property. A fourth suspect, Bora Guccuk, 41, was acquitted of all charges. ​

The heist was meticulously planned and executed in under five minutes. The thieves used sledgehammers and crowbars to detach the 98-kilogram (216-pound) toilet, fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. Despite extensive investigations, the artwork has never been recovered and is believed to have been melted down or sold in parts. ​

Maurizio Cattelan's 'America' was intended as a satirical commentary on excessive wealth and was previously displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York before its installation at Blenheim Palace. The convictions mark the culmination of a complex investigation involving forensic analysis, CCTV footage, and phone data, bringing some closure to a case that captured international attention.