A group of alleged criminals who stole valuable antiques including a priceless 2000-year-old Roman amphora were caught when they tried to find a buyer for the extremely rare items.
Eventually, the efforts to sell the items, which included a rare antique camera and compass, were noticed by the Spanish Civil Guard that had set up an investigation dubbed ‘Garete’ to find the criminals because of the historical value of the items.
The goods stolen from a luxury villa have all been recovered and the main suspect, who has also not been named, was arrested in the city of Jaen, located in the southern Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia.
A further three people are being investigated under the suspicion of “varying degrees of participation” according to a police report from yesterday (Thursday, 5th November).
The report says the stolen objects included the Roman amphora that is around 2000 years old, a camera from between 1914 – 1927, a video camera from 1923, two clocks, a marine fossil, a binnacle compass, light for a vessel, and a “wooden miniature”.
The amphora, which has been dated by experts, is thought to be from the end of the second century to the start of the first B.C.
Agents started their “meticulous” investigations after the items were reported as stolen from a residence in the village San Jose located in Almeria, however, it is unclear when.
Police traced them through several lines of investigation, including ads that were posted online selling the stolen goods which helped track them back to the suspect and the items in Jaen.
The items seized by authorities 
The amphora was delivered to the authorities
A video obtained by Newsflash shows the stolen objects which were seized by police in the operation.
The report says the 2,000-year-old Roman amphora has been handed over to the Archaeological Museum of Almeria for storage as they are “urgently recommended” to be included in the Historical Heritage list due to their “exclusivity” and the need to conserve the items like this that remain for future generations.
The investigations are being conducted by the Court of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation number six in Almeria.
The Spanish Civil Guard have investigated crimes that impact on Spanish national heritage since 2012.
The Roman amphora and other items had been reportedly stolen 
The Roman amphora and other items had been reportedly stolen
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Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash
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