Actual Art Theft Cases
The stories below are true and represent a sample of the many cases investigated by LAPD’s Art Theft Detail in recent years. New cases will be added as they become available. These stories are presented to you for several reasons. First, they will give you the flavor of what it is like to be an art cop. You will see that art investigations involve many different crimes including burglary, theft, consignment fraud, investment scams, fraudulent art, insurance fraud, elder abuse, and phony estate sales. It also involves a wide range of artistic, cultural and historical property. The stories will make you aware of suspects to watch out for as well as treasures still missing.
Most importantly, these cases often painfully illustrate the little things that make us vulnerable to swindlers and thieves. Although you will see examples of clever art criminals, the vast majority of those who prey upon artists, dealers, and collectors are opportunists. They are constantly on the lookout for careless and gullible victims as well as poor security and sloppy business practices. The cases below – both big and small – contain lessons we can learn from. We will take a look at security, alarms, cameras, safes, contracts, insurance, storage, exhibitions, art identification, business practices, employee selection, etc. Failure to pay attention to little things can result in big, expensive problems. A review of these incidents can help us avoid the pitfalls of others.
Most importantly, these cases often painfully illustrate the little things that make us vulnerable to swindlers and thieves. Although you will see examples of clever art criminals, the vast majority of those who prey upon artists, dealers, and collectors are opportunists. They are constantly on the lookout for careless and gullible victims as well as poor security and sloppy business practices. The cases below – both big and small – contain lessons we can learn from. We will take a look at security, alarms, cameras, safes, contracts, insurance, storage, exhibitions, art identification, business practices, employee selection, etc. Failure to pay attention to little things can result in big, expensive problems. A review of these incidents can help us avoid the pitfalls of others.
Art Theft Cases
• Sam's Picasso
• Tibetan Artifacts and Pot-Bellied Pigs
• Part-Time Employee
• "Count" Eordogh and the "Goya"
• The Butler Did It
• The Chauffeur Did It
• It's a Sad Day, Charlie Brown
• Taking a Shortcut to Nowhere
• Hidden Treasure...In Plain Sight
• Life of Fraud
• Stolen Memories
• Monarch of the Plains
• Art or Scrap Metal
• Trust Me, I Work Here
• Block Captain Accused of Major Theft
• Caveat Venditor
• Well-Traveled Renoir
• Pre-Columbian Art Located After 25 Years
• Indian Artifacts Recovered 28 Years Later
Identifying Stolen Art
• Tibetan Artifacts and Pot-Bellied Pigs
Trophy Art - Craig Warner
• Part-Time Employee
Dishonest Auction Worker - Reginald Gary
• "Count" Eordogh and the "Goya"
Con Man and Thief - Gabor Eordogh
• The Butler Did It
Theft from Bel-Air Estate - Roy Donell
• The Chauffeur Did It
Burglary - Sammie Archer III
• It's a Sad Day, Charlie Brown
Theft of Animation Art - Perry Gilfoy
• Taking a Shortcut to Nowhere
Theft by Gallery Employee - George Grimaldis
• Hidden Treasure...In Plain Sight
University Art Theft - Jane Crawford
• Life of Fraud
Theft from Museum - Nureet Granott
• Stolen Memories
Elder Theft - Ophie Beltran
• Monarch of the Plains
Theft of Sculpture - Henry Lightfoot III
• Art or Scrap Metal
Theft from Artist - Samuel Cunningham
• Trust Me, I Work Here
Theft by Gallery Employee - Steven Vasconcellos
• Block Captain Accused of Major Theft
Consignment Fraud - Patricia Bayes
• Caveat Venditor
Fake Art - Ray March
• Well-Traveled Renoir
Forged Renoir - Bob Venger
• Pre-Columbian Art Located After 25 Years
Burglary of Art Collector
• Indian Artifacts Recovered 28 Years Later
Theft from Museum - Eric Manier