Four men charged in heist of golden toilet from Winston Churchill's birthplace

Authorities charged four men on Monday in connection with the theft of a golden toilet from Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The 18-karat gold toilet, cheekily titled "America," was worth nearly $6 million and was on display at the estate until its disappearance in 2019, the Associated Press reported. 

No charges had been brought against anyone until Monday, when the Crown Prosecution Service brought burglary and conspiracy to transfer criminal property charges against for men, aged 35-39. The suspects are slated to appear in court on Nov. 28.

The toilet's whereabouts remain unknown.

Crafted by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, the work was intended to satirize opulence and was previously installed at the Guggenheim Museum. It was connected to Blenheim's plumbing and open for use by appointment for tourists.

Blenheim Palace is named for the Battle of Blenheim, a pivotal 1704 clash in the War of the Spanish Succession in which the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, defeated the French and Bavarian armies. Queen Anne supported construction of the palace as a gift to Churchill and it later became the home of the Spencer-Churchill family. 

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.