Raider grabs £100,000 panther days after stealing Frink piece
A RAIDER suspected of having stolen a £40,000 Elisabeth Frink sculpture is believed to have taken a second bronze worth £100,000 only days later.
The thief was captured on CCTV film stuffing the 5.5in by 14.5in (14cm by 37cm) panther by French sculptor Francois Pompon under his jacket at the Masterpiece art fair at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on July 1.
An assistant for the gallery which was selling the work realised that the 1925 piece was missing from its display plinth at about 1.30pm.
Detectives in London have released CCTV footage of the suspect. It is believed that after the theft the man took a cab to the City.
Det Con Pete O’Brien, of Kensington and Chelsea CID, said: “Security was immediately notified and subsequent CCTV enquiries shows the suspect taking the sculpture off the display and putting it under his jacket. He then left the building. We know he left in a taxi which dropped him at Appold Street at the junction with Primrose Street near Liverpool Street station.
“If you recognise the man or know of his whereabouts please contact police,” he said.
A few days before the robbery, the Elisabeth Frink piece Horizontal Birdman 1 was taken from the Beaux Arts gallery in Mayfair.
The suspect, described as a 6ft tall white male with greying hair, chatted to an assistant on the morning of June 26, returning just before closing time.
He was later seen on CCTV concealing the 1962 limited edition artwork under a coat he was carrying before coolly walking out of the door.
Any witnesses to the theft of the panther bronze have been asked to contact Det Con O’Brien at Kensington and Chelsea CID.
Or if they wish to remain anonymous, they are urged to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.