Man gets 2 years in jail for stealing ancient artifacts

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing seven artifacts from a cultural heritage site in Songjiang district, local prosecutors said Sunday.

The defendant, surnamed Fang, stole six porcelain vases and a rockery worth an estimated 86,150 yuan ($14,138) from the Guangfulin Cultural Park, where archaeologists have been excavating tombs dating back to the late Neolithic Age, according to a press release from the Songjiang District People's Prosecutor's Office.

Police received a report about the theft in May and set up a sting to catch the thief when he tried to sell the artifacts.

Police posted a photo of one of the missing vases online and left a contact number, according to the press release. In the middle of June, Fang contacted the number and said he had the vase they were looking for.

Police went to his home and arrested him.

Fang told police that he stole the artifacts because he needed money for a business project.