

Powered by


Thief Steals Botero Statue From France's Most Guarded Street
According security camera footage, the bearded thief caressed the 10-kilo statue of typically fleshy Botero figures, then looked around him before taking the statue from its plinth and discreetly making an exit.
Security around the Elysee has been heightened as a part of France's state of emergency after the country was hit by a series of terror attacks over last two years. (Image for representation only. Reuters photo)
Paris: French police are hunting a daring art thief who stole a bronze statue worth nearly half a million euros from a gallery within yards of the presidential palace in Paris.
The thief simply walked into the gallery and helped himself to the statue of a mother and child by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
He then coolly walked unchallenged down one of the most closely guarded streets in France, home to the British and Japanese embassies as well as French President Emmanuel Macron's official residence, the Elysee palace.
Security around the Elysee has been heightened as a part of France's state of emergency after the country was hit by a series of terror attacks over last two years.
The gallery is also almost opposite the interior ministry, which is in charge of security and the police.
According security camera footage, the bearded thief caressed the 10-kilo statue of typically fleshy Botero figures, then looked around him before taking the statue from its plinth and discreetly making an exit.
No alarms were set off.
Staff at the Bartoux gallery only realised it was gone when the gallery closed on Saturday evening, police said. Botero, 85, is Latin America's best known living artist, and is renowned for his slightly surreal and often comic fat figures, which have made his paintings hugely popular across the globe.
The stolen sculpture, which is worth at least 425,000 euros (USD 491,000), is one of eight made by the artist, all of different sizes.
Botero, who divides his time between Paris and Italy, could not be contacted.
"It's really a nightmare, we hope to get it back" staff at the gallery told French media.Also Watch
The thief simply walked into the gallery and helped himself to the statue of a mother and child by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
He then coolly walked unchallenged down one of the most closely guarded streets in France, home to the British and Japanese embassies as well as French President Emmanuel Macron's official residence, the Elysee palace.
Security around the Elysee has been heightened as a part of France's state of emergency after the country was hit by a series of terror attacks over last two years.
The gallery is also almost opposite the interior ministry, which is in charge of security and the police.
According security camera footage, the bearded thief caressed the 10-kilo statue of typically fleshy Botero figures, then looked around him before taking the statue from its plinth and discreetly making an exit.
No alarms were set off.
Staff at the Bartoux gallery only realised it was gone when the gallery closed on Saturday evening, police said. Botero, 85, is Latin America's best known living artist, and is renowned for his slightly surreal and often comic fat figures, which have made his paintings hugely popular across the globe.
The stolen sculpture, which is worth at least 425,000 euros (USD 491,000), is one of eight made by the artist, all of different sizes.
Botero, who divides his time between Paris and Italy, could not be contacted.
"It's really a nightmare, we hope to get it back" staff at the gallery told French media.
Also Watch
World Earth Day: Juhi Chawla Talks Environment, Advocates ‘No Plastic’ Policy
Friday 20 April , 2018
Is Your MP/ MLA Accused of Crime Against Women?
Wednesday 18 April , 2018
Karnataka Election 2018: The Good, The Bad and The Tainted Candidates
Friday 20 April , 2018
Watch: Quin Smart Helmets | Feature
Friday 20 April , 2018
Story So Far: Sacked AAP Advisor Raghav Chadha Returns Salary of Rs 2.50 to Home Ministry

World Earth Day: Juhi Chawla Talks Environment, Advocates ‘No Plastic’ Policy

Friday 20 April , 2018
Is Your MP/ MLA Accused of Crime Against Women?

Wednesday 18 April , 2018
Karnataka Election 2018: The Good, The Bad and The Tainted Candidates

Friday 20 April , 2018
Watch: Quin Smart Helmets | Feature

Friday 20 April , 2018
Story So Far: Sacked AAP Advisor Raghav Chadha Returns Salary of Rs 2.50 to Home Ministry
Recommended For You
IPL 2018: Virat Kohli Deems AB De Villiers as Best Player in The World
Kalank: Why Madhuri Dixit Agreed To Do a Film Opposite Sanjay Dutt
Photos From Milind Soman, Ankita Konwar's Mehendi Ceremony Will Make You Want To Attend One
Bollywood Star Jacqueline Fernandez Gifts Make-Up Artist Jeep Compass SUV – Watch Video
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X Detailed Image Gallery – See Pics