Frame Shop theft in area

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
This occurred locally yesterday:

Late Rochester artist's works taken from Webster frame shop

(November 2, 2006) — WEBSTER — A visitor to a Webster picture framing shop Wednesday knew exactly what he wanted. And the art thief left without paying.

Three Ramon Santiago paintings worth a total of $31,500 were snatched from a window display at McCoy's Custom Picture Framing, 103 North Ave., about 10 a.m. while an employee was working in a back room.

When the employee returned to the front of the store, she spotted a man running away with paintings under an arm. She told police the thief was 30 to 40 years old with blond hair, wearing a tan baseball cap and a blue hooded sweatshirt.

Tom McCoy, owner of the framing shop, said he has insurance, but he's not sure if he is covered for the full value of the paintings.

The stolen paintings are titled Studio Doll, Leda and the Swan and Cat.

Leda and the Swan is valued at $14,000. Cat is worth $10,000 and Studio Doll is priced at $7,500.

The famed Rochester artist died in 2001.

A Rochester Police Department canine unit assisting Webster police followed a trail from the store to a bicycle path near Route 104 and Kircher Park, where the dog lost the scent.

Jim Hall, owner of the Oxford Gallery, 267 Oxford St., said it would be very difficult to sell the stolen paintings.

"I would think it would be extraordinarily difficult to sell stolen artwork. It's pretty difficult to sell it when it's legitimate. How you would sell it on the black market is beyond me," Hall said.

BLOUDON@DemocratandChronicle.com

About the artist
Ramon Santiago was born Sept. 4, 1943, in Rochester and died of cancer in 2001. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 to 1968. Santiago is known best for his paintings of sultry, mysterious women and clowns. Feminists often considered his work misogynist. But his pieces sold. Customers include stars such as Paul Newman and Mel Gibson.
 
Thanks for sharing, Roz.

That's despicable! Has the time come for armed guards at every doorway? I'm getting very disgusted with the state of affairs these days.

Trying to keep a smile on my face,
Amy
 
Already sold

The thief will have no problem selling these three works, because they were already "sold." These pieces were stolen on commission -- someone told the thief exactly what to take, and where to find it; the buyer is already lined up and waiting.
 
Wouldn't it be interesting if the police discovered the owner of the pieces had someone steal them for the insurance money? Hmmmmm.....
 
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