Man Destroys $5.1 Million In Art At Museum As He 'Got Mad At His Girl'

Dallas, Texas -- A 21-year-old man in Dallas who broke into an art museum Wednesday night and destroyed irreplaceable art pieces worth $5.1 Million told the police that he caused the damages because he was upset with his girlfriend.

The suspect, identified as Brian Hernandez, told the police that he forced his way inside the Dallas Museum of Art and intentionally destroyed several items, including ancient vessels, bowls and figurines, estimated to be worth around $5,153,000, news outlet NBC DFW reported citing the arrest affidavit.

Hernandez was caught by security after a motion sensor went off at about 9:40 p.m. when he smashed the glass entrance using a metal chair. After getting inside the building, Hernandez used a stool to destroy the rare and irreplaceable art pieces, the police said. When the museum guards asked him what he was doing, Hernandez reportedly said that "he got mad at his girl so he broke in and started destroying property."

The security guards then asked Hernandez to sit on a bench while they waited for the police, and he obliged. When the police responded to the scene, they found Hernandez seated on the bench while multiple art displays and cases were shattered inside the building. Hernandez was arrested on charges of criminal mischief greater than $300,000.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Museum of Art said it is trying to determine the total extent of the damages.

According to the surveillance video, Hernandez used a stool to destroy at least two display cases each worth $17,000. He also smashed two ancient painted vessels-a Greek amphora dating back to the 6th Century B.C, and a Greek pyxis dating back to the 5th century B.C- with a combined value of $5 million, the NY Post reported.

During the rampage, Hernandez also destroyed the 6th Century ceramic cup, "Kylix Herakles and Nemeon Lion," worth around $100,000, and the Caddo statue "Bath Kuhuh Alligator Gar Fish," worth around $10,000.

"The items inside of the display cases that were destroyed are rare ancient artifacts that are extremely precious and one of a kind," the affidavit said.

Meanwhile, the museum issued a statement saying that they are relieved that no one was injured in the incident. "While we are devastated by this incident, we are grateful that no one was harmed. The safety of our staff and visitors, along with the care and protection of the art in our stewardship, are our utmost priorities," the statement read.

Hernandez is being held on a $100,000 bond.