VIDEO: Security Footage From Gardner Museum Heist Released

The FBI has released never-before-seen security camera footage from an unsolved heist that dates back 25 years. 13 works of art were stolen from Boston’s Isabella Gardner Museum on the night of March 18, 1990. Now officials are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect captured on the video.

In the video, which was taken 24 hours before the robbery went down, an “unauthorized visitor to the museum” was spotted entering the same door as the thieves did on the night of March 18, 1990, officials say.

The video also shows an unidentified man exiting an automobile and then being allowed inside the museum by a security guard at 12:49 p.m. on March 17, 1990, almost exactly 24 hours before the pieces of art were stolen. The automobile is the exact model which is suspected to have been used during the heist, officials say.

“Over many months we have engaged in an exhaustive re-examination of the original evidence in this case. Our aim has been to ensure that all avenues have been explored in the continuing quest to recover these artworks,” said United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz.

A $5 million reward is being offered by the museum for information that leads directly to the recovery of all of the stolen items.

“Today (Thursday) we are releasing video images from the night before the theft—images which have not previously been seen by the public—with the hope of identifying an unauthorized visitor to the museum. With the public’s help, we may be able to develop new information that could lead to the recovery of these invaluable works of art,” Ortiz said.

Anyone with information regarding the video is urged to call the FBI at 617-742-5533 or the Isabella Gardner Museum at 617-278-5114.