Man destroys $5 million worth of artwork at Dallas Museum of Art

Over $5 million worth in damages done to ancient Greek artifacts.

Associated Press

DALLAS — A man broke into the Dallas Museum of Art and caused more than $5 million in damage, including smashing three ancient Greek artifacts before he was arrested, police said.

Brian Hernandez, 21, is charged with criminal mischief of more than or equal to $300,000, which is punishable by five years to life in prison. He was booked Thursday into the Dallas County jail with bond set at $100,000. Jail records list no attorney for Hernandez.

According to police, Hernandez used a metal chair to break into the museum about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday and began a destructive rampage.

He broke into a display case and smashed a 6th century B.C. Greek amphora and a Greek pot dating to 450 B.C. Police say those two items alone were worth about $5 million. 

Hernandez also smashed a bowl from the 6th century B.C., worth about $100,000, and a ceramic Caddo effigy bottle valued at about $10,000.

Building security rushed to apprehend Hernandez, who was unarmed, police said. Police did not immediately know what prompted the incident.

The attack came three days after a man, disguised as an elderly woman, threw cake at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Mona Lisa was not damaged in the incident.

 

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