Two Van Gogh paintings were stolen from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam in December, 2002. Two very determined thieves cut a hole in the roof of the museum to gain access to the building. Two of Van Gogh’s paintings were taken; The Sea at Scheveningen and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen. Officials estimate the combined value at $30 million.

While the thieves were quickly caught and arrested a year later, the paintings weren’t recovered until September, 2016.

Photo credits:

Federal Bureau of Investigation Art Crime Team, Public Domain, via Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) @ https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/art-theft/fbi-top-ten-art-crimes/van-gogh-museum-robbery