Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Stolen Art Watch, Houston Renoir Snatched By Gunman In Ski Mask


Suspect sought in case of stolen Renoir painting

Houston police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a suspect and locating a Renoir painting stolen in an incident earlier this month at a westside residence.

HPD officers say they were called to a residence near Woodway and Chimney Rock on September 8. The victim told police a suspect, described only as a white male wearing a ski mask and gloves, demanded money and jewelry. He was armed with a black semi-automatic weapon. The victim pointed out a Renoir painting on the wall and its value. The suspect took the painting and its frame and fled the residence. The victim was not injured.

The painting, Pierre-August Renoir's Madeleine Leaning on Her Elbow with Flowers in Her Hair from 1918, is part of a private collection at the Vaughn Christopher Art Gallery at 1217 South Shepherd.

A private business is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the return of the painting. Anyone with information on the suspect or the painting is urged to contact the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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