[MSN] Alamogordo DPS recovers stolen Dali painting

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Alamogordo DPS recovers stolen Dali painting

By John Bear, Staff Writer
Article Launched:10/28/2006 12:00:00 AM MDT

The Alamogordo Department of Public Safety recovered something rare for the area Thursday a painting believed to be by famed artist Salvador Dali.

DPS began an investigation Oct. 11 into the theft of the painting from a house on Michigan Avenue. After following up on leads and interviewing several subjects, the department obtained a search warrant for a house on 907 Spruce Ave.

The subsequent search Thursday netted the painting, and the owner of the residence, Donna Renteria, 44, was arrested and charged with possession of or retaining stolen property, a second degree felony. Renteria was booked into the Otero County Detention Center on $20,000 bond. She has since posted bond.

The authenticity of the painting, "The Judgment of Paris," had not been confirmed as of press time, but DPS detectives were on the phone with experts from around the country.

Sgt. Lee Wilder of DPS said the painting looks real.

"If you look closely, you can tell it's not a print," he said.

The owners of the painting told investigators they have a certificate of authenticity. Their names had not been released by the police.

Lt. Theo Livingston said the owners believe the painting to be worth more than $100,000. That figure is based on a seven-year-old appraisal, so the painting is probably worth more now.

"They believe it's worth six figures, and we have nothing to suggest otherwise," he said.

Further evidence points to the painting's authenticity. According to detective Israel Trujillo, a local priest named Father Wilfrid Diamond had given to various friends his art collection, amassed in the 1950s and 1960s, before dying.

"He had an extensive collection," Trujillo said.

Livingston said he was amazed by the development.

"It's interesting," he said. "We've never dealt with anything like this before."

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