Partier steals thumb from one of the ‘Terracota Warriors’

A partygoer stole the thumb from one of the famed Terracotta Warriors at Philadelphia Museum during a holiday party after snapping selfies with the statues.

Federal authorities said that 24-year-old Michael Rohana of Delaware pocketed the artifact during Franklin Institute’s Ugly Sweater Holiday Party after sneaking into the closed exhibit and stealing the thumb. 

The statues which were built to protect emperor Qin Shihuangdi in the afterlife, and date back to 200 B.C are on loan from China.

In an affidavit from the FBI,  a young man in a long-sleeved green sweater and a Phillies cap entered the exhibit during one of the museum’s signature Science After Hours parties on December 21, according to USA Today. 

FBI Special Agent Jacob Archer said that the suspect was caught on film snapping selfies with ‘a priceless part of China’s cultural heritage’.

In a statement Wednesday night, The Franklin Institute said ‘standard closing procedures were not followed’ by a security contractor.

When confronted about the thumb, Rohana produced it and returned it to the FBI, which gave it back to the Franklin Institute

Rohana sneaked into the closed off Terracotta Warrior exhibit at the Franklin Institute (pictured above), took selfies with the statute, and snapped off its thumb

‘As a result of this incident, we have thoroughly reviewed our security protocol and procedures and have taken appropriate action where needed,’ the Franklin Institute said.

The affidavit says that Rohana originally entered the closed exhibit alone, then brought two friends in to show them around.

Rohana took a selfie with one of the sculptures before leaving, and according to the affidavit, he ‘appeared to break something off the Cavalryman’s left hand and put it in his left pocket’. He also shared the pictures to Snapchat.

Special Agent Archer interviewed Rohana at his home in Delaware on January 13, and asked him ‘if he had anything in his possession that he wanted to turn over to the FBI.’

Rohana then went to his bedroom and retrieved the thumb from a desk drawer. Rohana has since been charged with art theft.

The thumb has since been returned to the museum.