New twists in $1m art heist

Sophisticated Parnell raid on Lindauers included fake flashing police light on car

The audacious Auckland art heist where ram-raiders stole two rare paintings last month was more sophisticated than police have let on and criminal underworld figures could now be holding them to ransom.

While police continue to hunt for the missing million-dollar Lindauers, with officers looking at suspects, the Herald can reveal aspects of the planned operation for the first time.

It’s understood two brazen raiders sprayed the window of the International Art Centre in Parnell Rd with a substance designed to freeze or weaken the glass before reversing a stolen Ford Courier utility vehicle into it about 4am on April 1.

But police have confirmed that the first ramming didn’t break the gal- lery’s thick window enough. The robbers then rammed the ute into it a second time, possibly damaging the highly valuable artworks crafted in 1884 by celebrated Czech-born artist Gottfried Lindauer.

High-definition CCTV footage shows a white 2016 Holden Commodore SSV6 driven by a third man arriving on the scene soon after.

But what publicly released surveillance images don’t show is that the well-prepared criminals placed a flashing light on the Commodore’s roof so it looked as if undercover police had the issue under control.

The number plate on the getaway car also appears to be fake.

The ute was found ditched around the corner from the gallery.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard refused to comment on the tactics employed, citing “operational reasons”. Asked if there were any suspects, he said: “We have a list of people we are working through.”

Beard admitted it was possible the paintings — which had been expected to collectively fetch up to $1 million when they were auctioned days later — were damaged in the raid.

Although border alerts remain in place, and the global art community has been informed via Interpol, police believe the paintings are still in New Zealand.

But just who is behind the smashand-grab has the rumour mill working overtime in Auckland art circles.

Suggestions abound pointing the finger at activists, politically motivated or otherwise, or possibly collectors.

So is word that gangs or organised crime have masterminded the theft of the two portraits, Chieftainess Ngatai-Raure and Chief Ngatai-Raure.

“Police are keeping an open mind as to who may have been involved,” Beard said.

A source close to the investigation, called Operation Bower, also believed the artworks had been “kidnapped”.

International Art Centre director Richard Thomson wouldn’t go into details but told the Herald it was “not a simple ram raid”.

“It was a lot more sophisticated than has been recorded,” he said.

“We have very high security. Some things you just don’t see coming.

“It’s a dark day in New Zealand art history.”