The St. Petersburg Police Department is on a continued quest to catch an art thief who made off with a valuable sculpture from the Duncan McClellan Gallery last November. The theft, which took place at around 2:22 p.m. on Emerson Avenue South, stunned the local arts community as security footage revealed the brazen nature of the crime. One man, Willie Wilson, has been apprehended, but authorities are still seeking his accomplice.
According to FOX 13 News, the man sought by the police is responsible for stealing "Torso XI," a cast glass sculpture valued at $21,000, created by artist Latchezar Boyadjiev. The piece was skillfully, albeit shockingly, concealed in the thief's pants under the guise of his baggy attire before exiting the gallery, a detailed account provided by the St. Petersburg Police Department's Economic Crimes Division to the publication.
Meanwhile, Jeff Schorr of Craftsman House Gallery, who is familiar with McClellan's work, remarked on the impact of the theft on the local art sphere, "In the art community, everyone's familiar with Duncan's pieces," Jeff Schorr told WFLA News Channel 8. He also speculated about the difficulty for the perpetrators in selling such a distinctive artwork, suggesting it must have been "scoped out ahead of time."
Detective Caitlyn Lance from the police department shared her insights with FOX 13 News, pondering the intentions behind the theft, "This isn't the type of thing that somebody steals in an attempt to resell it. It's not something that's easily sold," Lance said. "Anybody that knows the value is likely to know the piece was stolen. And so, it is something that you wonder if they took for personal enjoyment."
Duncan McClellan himself expressed his sentiments regarding the incident, "We are deeply saddened by the recent incident, but we are fully cooperating with the authorities and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of our collection. Our priority is the well-being of our employees and patrons, and we remain committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. The police have been diligent, and I’m confident that with the public help will be able to find the suspect," the gallery owner conveyed in a statement obtained by both WFLA News and FOX 13 News.
The police encourage anyone with information about the second suspect to come forward. Tips can be submitted by contacting the St. Petersburg Police Department at (727) 893-7780 or by texting SPPD and their tip to 847411 (tip411), as reported by WTSP.
