2:00 PM
Thieves who made off with what they thought was an expensive gold artefact from the Auckland Museum have stolen a worthless replica.
The offenders broke into the museum around 1 am this morning, smashed open a case and took a gold frog.
However, the real gold frog is contained in the museum's secure storage unit. From Panama, the original dates back to between 800 and 1200 AD.
Auckland Museum director Dr Rodney Wilson says the stolen 30-year-old replica is worthless, but he is concerned at the breach of security.
He says the burglary was very sophisticated and the thieves obviously knew what they were looking for.
After forcing their way through an entrance on the western side of the building, Dr Wilson says the thieves managed to get through two further sets of glass doors before reaching the display cabinet on the ground floor.
Nothing else was stolen.
Police are reviewing security video tapes which they say may provide clues to the offenders' identities.
Mr Wilson hopes the gallery will be repaired by the end of today, or at least by the end of tomorrow.
- IRN
Artefact stolen in museum break-in not so golden
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