Two paintings stolen from Van Gogh Museum

Thieves broke into the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and stole two paintings overnight.

The museum hasn't revealed which paintings were stolen.

The museum has the world's largest collection of works by the Dutch impressionist, but also houses the work of other leading 19th century artists.

An Amsterdam television station reported the thieves entered the museum through the roof, leaving a ladder leaning against a wall.

The break-in was discovered two hours before the museum was due to open to the public.

It is the second high-profile raid in the Netherlands in a week.

Last Monday, thieves raided a diamond exhibition at the Museon in The Hague, about 30 miles south of Amsterdam. Museum officials said millions of dollars worth of gems were taken.

On Wednesday, an apparent extortion scheme against the Ikea home goods chain in the Netherlands was revealed.

Small bombs were discovered at two of the 10 Ikea outlets. One detonated as it was being disarmed, lightly wounding two bomb squad officers.

Police said a threatening letter arrived a day earlier at the Dutch headquarters of the Swedish-owned international chain, demanding an undisclosed amount of money.