Crime & Safety
Stolen Chihuly Art Returned
The identity of the thief remains unknown following the theft of the piece, valued at as much as $25,000.
ST. PETERSBRUG, FL — The person or people responsible for swiping a valuable piece of art from the Chihuly Gallery must have had a change of heart.
“Today, at 8:50 a.m., an employee of the Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., discovered a box in front of their business that contained the art work stolen from the Chihuly Gallery,” the St. Petersburg Police Department announced just after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
While the art, worth up to $25,000, has made its way safely home, the search for the person or people responsible for the theft continues. Detectives are continuing to review video and are interviewing witnesses, the agency noted in an email to media.
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The returned piece does not appear to have any damage, the police department noted.
The piece, titled “Cobalt and Lavender Piccolo Venetian with Gilded Handles,” was reported as missing from the 400 Beach Drive N.E. gallery Monday morning. Workers believed it was stolen sometime during the gallery’s public hours on Sunday.
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Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the police department at 727-893-7780. Tips may also be texted to TIP411 by texting SPPD and the tip.
Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department
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