[MSN] Major break in Webster art heist

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Major break in Webster art heist

http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=25367&r=l


 Video:  Low : High 
11/20/2006 6:00 PM
(Matt Molloy, WROC-TV)

A Rochester attorney is one of three people facing charges tonight in
connection with an art heist.  Three Ramon Santiago paintings were stolen
from a frame shop in Webster just three weeks ago.  Police believe the
thefts occurred over a three day period starting October 30th.  Each day
police say one painting was taken, together worth more than 30 thousand
dollars.  

40 year old John West is an attorney from Webster and one of three people
charged with stealing three original Santiago pieces from McCoy's frame
shop.  West along with 38 year old Vincenzo Paone of Webster and 42 year old
Thomas Gilbert of Rochester face grand larceny charges.

"Friday afternoon we were able to hit three separate locations at once with
search warrants and apprehend two of the suspects. The third suspect was
finally located this morning and arrested. The paintings were recovered
Friday evening and they were unharmed," said Webster Police Chief Gerald
Pickering.

The paintings were found in a mini-storage unit in Penfield.  Police aren't
saying how West knew the other two suspects, both of which have prior
criminal records.  In fact, Thomas Gilbert was released from prison just two
weeks before the first painting was stolen.  We tried to talk to John West,
but when we knocked on his door we were told he wasn't home.

Frame shop owner Tom McCoy didn't think he'd every see his paintings again.

"I was giddy. I ran out of the shop, went down to the police station. I
heard the whole story and everything and I was just so excited. It was great
to know they were found because I really though they were going to vanish,"
McCoy said.

McCoy says the theft adds a twist to the history of these pieces.

"I don't know what's going to happen as far as value wise with these
paintings but I've talked with the gallery owner, they are probably now the
most well known Santiago's out there at least 'Leda and the Swan' is because
that's the one everybody has seen," McCoy said.

He says he will put them on display again but with one serious upgrade.
     
"One thing I always say is these are out there to be displayed.  Art is
there to be enjoyed, yeah we will clear out a space, we will hang them on
the wall and yes we will have a security system," McCoy said.

McCoy says Ramon Santiago is likely watching from above.

"As they say if people are in the other world and know all he probably knew
exactly where they were and probably watched as the police put this together
and when he saw them picked up he was like 'yup they're back,'" McCoy said.

http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=25367&r=l