Bronze Buddha stolen from Palembang museum; thieves captured

The police moved quickly to apprehend a gang of four behind the theft of a Bronze Buddha statue from a museum in Palembang. One of the thieves was shot in the leg while trying to resist arrest. Ouch.

S. Sumatra Police question museum employees over missing Buddha statue
Jakarta Post, 13 March 2009

South Sumatra police nabs Buddhist artifact thieves
Jakarta Post, 15 March 2009

South Sumatra Police are investigating the whereabouts of a bronze Buddha statue that went missing from Balaputradewa Museum in the province capital Palembang. Several employees are being questioned.

The 17 x 7 x 7 centimeter bronze statue, which was once coated in gold, was reported missing on Monday.

…

The South Sumatra Crime Detective unit arrested on Sunday four individuals suspected of having stolen an ancient Buddhist artifact of the Sriwijaya Dynasty era that were displayed at the Balaputra Dewa Museum.

“The artifact was found at Udin’s house and has suffered minor damage,” police officer Artsianto said.