Arrest made in theft of Auschwitz sign

A wanted Swedish man has been arrested in connection with the theft of the famous Auschwitz sign.

Anders Hogstrom was arrested Feb.11 in Stockholm, the BBC reported, a week after a Polish court issued a European-wide warrant for his arrest for allegedly ordering the theft of the metal sign reading “Arbeit macht frei” from the front gate of the former concentration camp.

Hogstrom reportedly acted as an agent for a British Nazi sympathizer who wanted the sign. The 16-foot metal sign, which means “work makes you free,” was stolen Dec. 18 and recovered across the country 72 hours later.

Experts are working to restore the sign, which had been cut into three pieces. It is not certain that the sign will be returned to its place; a copy was placed at the front gate immediately after the theft. — jta