Vampirate Kitsune
Apocalyptic Cutesmasher
25,215 Points
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200
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25
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25
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Some of the missing artworks:
Chez Tortoni, painted by Manet
Degas' 'La Sortie du Pelage,' a watercolor and pencil sketch
two Rembrandts - The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (left), believed to be the only seascape the master painted, and A Lady and Gentleman in Black (right)
Left, Degas' Three Mounted Jockeys, and right, a self-portrait of Rembrandt
Jan Vermeer's The Concert is one of approximately 35 known works by the great Dutch painter
Govaert Flinck's 'Landscape with an Obelisk,' painted in 1638, was originally attributed to Rembrandt, but was later found to be the work of his assistant, Flinck
Quote:
FBI says it has identified the thieves in Gardner Museum heist; paintings’ location still unknown
In a stunning development, federal law enforcement officials said today they had identified the people who stole $500 million worth of masterworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990.
The officials also said they had determined where the paintings had traveled in the years after they were stolen, but they did not know where they are now and were appealing to the public for their help.
“The FBI believes with a high degree of confidence in the years after the theft the art was transported to Connecticut and the Philadelphia region and some of the art was taken to Philadelphia where it was offered for sale by those responsible for the theft. With that confidence, we have identified the thieves, who are members of a criminal organization with a base in the mid-Atlantic states and New England,” Richard DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the Boston office of the FBI, said.
DesLauriers said that after an attempted sale of the paintings about a decade ago, the FBI did not know where the paintings had gone.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t identified where they are right now and that’s why we are coming to the public for their help,” Geoff Kelly, the special agent who spearheaded the investigation in the Boston office, said in a statement.
DesLauriers said at a news conference this afternoon that because the investigation is continuing it would be “imprudent” to disclose the names of the individuals and the organization involved in the theft. He said the investigation into the theft of the artwork, which has “enormous cultural significance,” was nearing its “final chapter.”
“I think we’re all optimistic that one day soon the paintings would be returned to their rightful place,” US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said at the news conference.
The FBI said it was continuing its search both in and beyond the Connecticut and Phildaelphia areas and launching a public awareness campaign that would include a dedicated FBI website, video postings on FBI social media sites (see the top of this post), digital billboards, and a podcast.
DesLauriers said the Gardner heist had received extensive media coverage in the Boston area, but officials wanted to “widen the ‘aperture of awareness’” to reach more of the American public and even around the world.
“Today marks 23 years since the robbery,” Anthony Amore, the museum security chief, said in the statement. “It’s time for these paintings to come home.” He said a $5 million reward offered in the case was for information leading to the recovery of the items in good condition. He also said, “You don’t have to hand us the paintings to be eligible for the reward.”
Ortiz said at the news conference that the statute of limitations had run out for the people who actually robbed the museum. She said there was also the possibility of immunity from prosecution for people who might be subject to other charges, such as charges of possessing the stolen paintings.
“That is a very strong possibility, but I cannot give blanket immunity without knowing the specifics,” he said.
The FBI said anyone with information about the artwork can contact them at 1-800-CALL FBI or the museum directly or through a third party. Tips may also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov, the FBI said.
Law enforcement officials have been puzzled for years by the 1990 heist. The daring robbers, posing as Boston police officers, entered the museum and tied up two night watchmen in the early morning hours of March 18, 1990.
Thirteen pieces were stolen, including three Rembrandts, a Vermeer, a portrait by Edouard Manet, and sketches by Renoir. The theft is considered the greatest art theft in history.
In a stunning development, federal law enforcement officials said today they had identified the people who stole $500 million worth of masterworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990.
The officials also said they had determined where the paintings had traveled in the years after they were stolen, but they did not know where they are now and were appealing to the public for their help.
“The FBI believes with a high degree of confidence in the years after the theft the art was transported to Connecticut and the Philadelphia region and some of the art was taken to Philadelphia where it was offered for sale by those responsible for the theft. With that confidence, we have identified the thieves, who are members of a criminal organization with a base in the mid-Atlantic states and New England,” Richard DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the Boston office of the FBI, said.
DesLauriers said that after an attempted sale of the paintings about a decade ago, the FBI did not know where the paintings had gone.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t identified where they are right now and that’s why we are coming to the public for their help,” Geoff Kelly, the special agent who spearheaded the investigation in the Boston office, said in a statement.
DesLauriers said at a news conference this afternoon that because the investigation is continuing it would be “imprudent” to disclose the names of the individuals and the organization involved in the theft. He said the investigation into the theft of the artwork, which has “enormous cultural significance,” was nearing its “final chapter.”
“I think we’re all optimistic that one day soon the paintings would be returned to their rightful place,” US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said at the news conference.
The FBI said it was continuing its search both in and beyond the Connecticut and Phildaelphia areas and launching a public awareness campaign that would include a dedicated FBI website, video postings on FBI social media sites (see the top of this post), digital billboards, and a podcast.
DesLauriers said the Gardner heist had received extensive media coverage in the Boston area, but officials wanted to “widen the ‘aperture of awareness’” to reach more of the American public and even around the world.
“Today marks 23 years since the robbery,” Anthony Amore, the museum security chief, said in the statement. “It’s time for these paintings to come home.” He said a $5 million reward offered in the case was for information leading to the recovery of the items in good condition. He also said, “You don’t have to hand us the paintings to be eligible for the reward.”
Ortiz said at the news conference that the statute of limitations had run out for the people who actually robbed the museum. She said there was also the possibility of immunity from prosecution for people who might be subject to other charges, such as charges of possessing the stolen paintings.
“That is a very strong possibility, but I cannot give blanket immunity without knowing the specifics,” he said.
The FBI said anyone with information about the artwork can contact them at 1-800-CALL FBI or the museum directly or through a third party. Tips may also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov, the FBI said.
Law enforcement officials have been puzzled for years by the 1990 heist. The daring robbers, posing as Boston police officers, entered the museum and tied up two night watchmen in the early morning hours of March 18, 1990.
Thirteen pieces were stolen, including three Rembrandts, a Vermeer, a portrait by Edouard Manet, and sketches by Renoir. The theft is considered the greatest art theft in history.
Some of the missing artworks:
Chez Tortoni, painted by Manet
Degas' 'La Sortie du Pelage,' a watercolor and pencil sketch
two Rembrandts - The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (left), believed to be the only seascape the master painted, and A Lady and Gentleman in Black (right)
Left, Degas' Three Mounted Jockeys, and right, a self-portrait of Rembrandt
Jan Vermeer's The Concert is one of approximately 35 known works by the great Dutch painter
Govaert Flinck's 'Landscape with an Obelisk,' painted in 1638, was originally attributed to Rembrandt, but was later found to be the work of his assistant, Flinck
