06.12.2025 14:40
A development has occurred in the investigation regarding the gold stolen from the Büyükçekmece Courthouse's custody room. Photos of some of the gold stolen by court clerk Erdal Timurtaş have emerged.
Photos of the gold stolen from the Büyükçekmece Courthouse's evidence room have emerged. The gold was seized during an operation targeting human traffickers across 19 provinces centered in Istanbul and was handed over to judicial custody after the completion of the procedures.
1 PERSON ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE HISTORICAL THEFT, 1 PERSON AT LARGE
According to allegations, 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver were stolen by courthouse officer Erdal Timurtaş from the evidence office. A red notice has been requested for the fugitive suspect Timurtaş, who is believed to have fled to England. After his procedures at the police station, the evidence officer Kemal D. was arrested by the court to which he was brought.
THE GOLD WAS SEIZED DURING A HUMAN TRAFFICKING OPERATION
Meanwhile, the gold was seized during an operation targeting human traffickers across 19 provinces centered in Istanbul and was handed over to judicial custody after the completion of the procedures. Some photos of the gold stolen by Erdal Timurtaş have emerged.
WHY DID THE FUGITIVE OFFICER CHOOSE NOVEMBER 13?
The reason the suspect chose to carry out the robbery on November 13 is stated to be that he wanted to take advantage of the crowd at the courthouse due to the arms delivery that occurs every three months to the Ministry of National Defense on that day. Additionally, it is assessed that the major theft could be part of an organized robbery.
CAMERAS RECORDED THE MOMENTS OF TRANSPORTING WITH A SHOPPING CART
While the investigation continues, security camera footage revealed that Timurtaş loaded a shopping cart filled with black bags into his vehicle in the courthouse parking lot without attracting anyone's attention.
147 MILLION LIRA LOSS
In a detailed count conducted in the judicial custody, it was determined that 9,906 grams of gold, 49 reşat gold coins, 438 necklaces, 66 grams of earrings, 5 kilograms of gold bars, 7 gold medals, 167 full gold coins, 606 bracelets, 1,477 grams of bracelets, 376 half gold coins, 1,328 quarter gold coins, 40 Republic gold coins, 2,701 grams of various jewelry, 487 Ata gold coins, 6 grams of gold, and 50 kilograms of silver were lost. According to the calculations made, the total value of the stolen gold and silver is approximately 147 million lira.
STATEMENT OF ARRESTED KEMAL D.: HE HAD A GAMBLING DEBT
The arrested suspect Kemal D. stated in his testimony that Erdal Timurtaş had a gambling habit and was in a difficult situation due to his debts. Kemal D. mentioned that Timurtaş did not submit the report he received during his sick leave to the courthouse and stated that shortly before December 1, the suspect sent a message to the group of employees saying, "I have problems with my wife, do not contact me for a while," and then left the group.
“I SOLD THE ITEMS, DO NOT CONTACT ME” MESSAGE
Kemal D. expressed that he was concerned that Timurtaş might attempt suicide, and for this reason, he sent an officer to his home. After the officers went to the house, the suspect stated that Timurtaş called him via video and said he was fine, and on December 1, he sent a message to the group saying, "I sold the house and the items, do not contact me."
Kemal D. was arrested by the court to which he was brought and sent to prison.