Actual Art Theft Cases

The stories below are true and represent a sample of the many cases investigated by LAPD’s Art Theft Detail in recent years.

New cases will be added as they become available. These stories are presented to you for several reasons. First, they will give you the flavor of what it is like to be an art cop. You will see that art investigations involve many different crimes including burglary, theft, consignment fraud, investment scams, fraudulent art, insurance fraud, elder abuse, and phony estate sales. It also involves a wide range of artistic, cultural and historical property.

The stories will make you aware of suspects to watch out for as well as treasures still missing.

Most importantly, these cases often painfully illustrate the little things that make us vulnerable to swindlers and thieves.

Although you will see examples of clever art criminals, the vast majority of those who prey upon artists, dealers, and collectors are opportunists. They are constantly on the lookout for careless and gullible victims as well as poor security and sloppy business practices.

The cases below – both big and small – contain lessons we can learn from.

We will take a look at security, alarms, cameras, safes, contracts, insurance, storage, exhibitions, art identification, business practices, employee selection, etc. Failure to pay attention to little things can result in big, expensive problems. A review of these incidents can help us avoid the pitfalls of others.

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