Man, Angry With Girlfriend, Breaks Into Dallas Museum Of Art, Causing More Than $5 Million Worth Of Damages

A man broke into the Dallas Museum of Art and damaged over $5 million of artwork that can’t be replaced. The man told police that his actions were caused by him “getting mad at his girlfriend.”

Brian Hernandez, 21, was arrested on Wednesday evening at the museum, documents note. He had intruded into the facility and destroyed several items.

Hernandez is accused of breaking the glass at the front entry to the museum, by using a metal chair, close to 9:40 p.m. When he was inside, he damaged items, including many pots and statues, worth $5,153,000.

After a motion sensor alerted them, two guards went to see what was going on and found Hernandez. When they questioned him, Hernandez said that he had become angry with his girlfriend and damaged the items.

Hernandez was then instructed to sit on a bench until police officers could arrive to the scene.

After surveying the museum, officers discovered many valuable items that had been destroyed.

Camera surveillance footage shows Hernandez with a tool used to bust open two display cases that costs about  $17,000 each. They contained a “Black Figure Panel Amphora 6th Century Greece” pot and a “Red Figure Pyxis 450 B.C.” pot that were damaged. They were worth $5 million. A ceramic cup from the 6th Century, “Kylix Herakles and Nemeon Lion” was also destroyed. To add, a Caddo statue, “Batah Kuluh Alligator Gar Fish” was shattered. The cup was worth $100,000 and the statue, $10,000.

These items were ancient artifacts that are unusual and extremely precious, authorities say.

A signage, computer, phone, and a bench were also damaged.

Pictures of the destroyed items haven’t been publicly revealed. Also, a final analysis of the damage must be conducted by the curator of the museum and insurance company to assess the final amount of damages.

Hernandez is in custody at the Dallas County Jail. He faces charges of criminal mischief greater than $300,000 and has a bond of $100,000.

Despite parts of the museum being closed, other parts were open for business on Thursday.