Thirteen men have been charged with conspiracy to steal as part of a national investigation into high-value museum thefts.
Twelve of the men, aged between 25 and 67, were arrested last year in a series of warrants across the UK and Ireland by police forces and the National Crime Agency.
The thirteenth, Daniel O’Brien, 44, of Orchard Drive, Smithy Fen, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, was arrested this week. He will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (Thursday 6 November).
The other 12 have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on November 25.
The men are charged in connection with a series of crimes over a four-month period at museums and auction houses across England.
Chinese artefacts and rhinoceros horn were targeted in seven incidents – two thefts and an attempted theft from Durham University Oriental Museum and further incidents at Gorringes Auction House in East Sussex, Norwich Castle Museum in Norfolk, the Powell Cotton Museum in Kent and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
The other people arrested last year who have not now been charged were released with no further action.
Those charged with conspiracy to steal are:
Ashley Dad (34) of Crowther Road, Wolverhampton
John O’Brien (67) of Fifth Ave, Wolverhampton.
John O’Brien (25) of Orchard Drive, Smithy Fen, Cottenham, Cambridge
Richard O’Brien (29) of Dale Farm, Oak Lane, Billericay, Essex
Paul Pammen (48) of Alton Gardens, Southend-on-Sea
Richard Sheridan (45) of Water Lane, Smithy Fen, Cottenham, Cambridge
Chi Chong Donald Wong (54) of Clapham Common South Side, Lambeth, London
Patrick Clarke (32) of Melbourne Rd, London
Terrence McNamara (46) of Marquis St, Belfast
Robert Smith (26) of no fixed address
Daniel O’Brien (44) of Orchard Drive, Smithy Fen, Cottenham, Cambridge
Alan Clarke (36) of Melborne Road, Newham, London
Michael Hegarty (42) of Orchard Drive, Smithy Fen, Cottenham.