Matter of artifact

ATHENS — Dozens of archeological artifacts stolen from a museum in Olympia, Greece, were recovered after police arrested three people in connection with the thefts, authorities said.

Two armed robbers in February made off with nearly 80 artifacts from a museum dedicated to the ancient Olympic Games, including a bronze statuette of a victorious athlete, a 2,400-year-old oil jar, clay lamps, bronze tripods and miniature chariot wheels.

Greek police had earlier said that one of the suspects had been arrested at a hotel in the city of Patras Friday after trying to sell a 3,300-year-old gold ring to an undercover officer.

The man, who had asked $387,000 for the Bronze Age ring, later cracked under questioning and named his accomplices, a local police source said.