Man allegedly wrecks $5 million in art at Dallas museum

A man broke into a Dallas museum Wednesday night and destroyed more than $5 million in ancient, irreplaceable art pieces because he “got mad at his girl,” officials said.

Brian Hernandez, 21, reportedly decided to take his anger out by breaking and entering into the Dallas Museum of Art and smashing multiple vessels, bowls and figurines valued at a whopping $5,153,000, according to an arrest warrant obtained by NBC 5.

Hernandez allegedly used a metal chair to smash the glass entrance to the museum at about 9:40 p.m. Once inside, he used a stool to destroy the rare and irreplaceable art pieces, police said.

He allegedly told museum guards who found him with the destroyed items that he “got mad at his girl so he broke in and started destroying property,” according to the arrest document.

The guards had Hernandez sit on a bench while they called police. When officers arrived, they arrested him for criminal mischief greater than $300,000.

According to surveillance footage and police, Hernandez allegedly destroyed two ancient painted vessels — a Greek amphora dating back to 6th Century BCE and a Greek pyxis dating back to 5th century BCE — which had a combined value of $5 million.

He also smashed a Greek ceramic bowl from 550 BCE worth about $100,000 and a Caddo alligator figurine valued at $10,000 to pieces.

To get his hands on the pieces, Hernandez allegedly shattered two display cases worth $17,000 each. A museum computer, phone, bench and signage were also damaged.

The Dallas Museum of Art said it is still in the process of assessing the total extent of the damages.

“While we are devastated by this incident, we are grateful that no one was harmed,” museum administrators said in a statement. “The safety of our staff and visitors, along with the care and protection of the art in our stewardship, are our utmost priorities.”

Hernandez is being held in Dallas County Jail on a bond of $100,000.