By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 22:21:48 | Updated at 2025-01-16 01:04:50
2 hours ago
Police are searching for an art thief who is alleged to have stolen a $21,000 glass sculpture by concealing it in his pants.
Detectives in St Petersburg, Florida say the incident occurred at the Duncan McClellan Gallery on November 11, 2024, just before 2:30pm.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department two men were seen ascending the gallery's stairs.
One of the suspects asked about art pieces in the outdoor section while the second suspect stole the item and concealed it under his clothing.
The pair then left the gallery together, and investigators have evidence of them texting each other during the theft.
After the suspects left, gallery staff discovered that a cast glass sculpture titled 'Torso XI' by Latchezar Boyadjiev was missing.
Willie Wilson, 45, the second suspect wearing a red hoodie, was arrested by detectives on January 7, the police department said.
Florida police are searching for an alleged art thief who stole a $21,000 glass sculpture with an accomplice by concealing it in his pants
One of the suspects asked about art pieces in the outdoor section while another stole the item and concealed it under his clothing
The thief is facing charges of principal to grand theft for an amount between $20,000 and $100,000.
The suspect who is accused of physically taking the art piece has still not been identified.
He was last seen wearing an oversized blue T-shirt, baggy jeans, a baseball cap, sneakers and carrying a dark shoulder bag.
Investigators later discovered that Wilson had visited the store the day before the theft and a sales associate identified him as the suspect.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call St. Petersburg police.
It is not the only bizarre heist that took place last year.
Two wealthy retired dentists, Tatyana Zhukovsky and Clara Michelson, were arrested in December for a series of bizarre robberies in the Bay Area.
Despite their affluent backgrounds – Zhukovsky residing in a $1.5 million San Francisco home and Michelson owning a $1.65 million Nevada property – the women allegedly carried out a string of thefts, including a spree at a Lake Tahoe ski shop.
Wilson is facing charges of principal to grand theft for an amount between $20,000 and $100,000
The two then left the gallery together and investigators have evidence of them texting each other during the theft
Surveillance footage captured the women, clad in comfortable attire, calmly selecting and stealing over $1,500 in merchandise from Parallel Mountain Sports on three separate occasions.
Their getaway vehicle, a luxurious silver Lexus SUV, ultimately led to their arrest. A police officer recognized the vehicle, leading to their apprehension.
Zhukovsky and Michelson, both former California dentists, were charged with grand theft and conspiracy. They have since been released from custody.
