[MSN] Detectives have renewed an appeal for information about the theft of a Leonardo da Vinci painting from a castle exactly four years ago. Madonna with the Yarnwinder was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill, in Dumfries and Galloway in 2003.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Police renew da Vinci theft plea 
Detectives have renewed an appeal for information about the theft of a
Leonardo da Vinci painting from a castle exactly four years ago. 
Madonna with the Yarnwinder was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, near
Thornhill, in Dumfries and Galloway in 2003. 

Detectives said they were still determined to find the painting, which
belonged to the Duke of Buccleuch. 

However, they admitted that they were no closer to catching the culprits,
with no current lines of inquiry. 

The artwork, which was painted between 1500 and 1510, had been in the
Buccleuch family for almost 200 years. 

Valued at about £30m, it depicts the Madonna with the infant Jesus holding a
cross-shaped yarnwinder. 


 We concede that there are currently no lines of investigation open to us 
Det Ch Insp Michael Dalgleish  

The painting was stolen in a raid involving four men. Two of them posed as
visitors before overpowering a female staff member. 

All four then made their escape in a white Volkswagen Golf, which was found
abandoned nearby. 

The painting was added to the FBI's list of the 10 most wanted pieces of
stolen artwork in 2005. 

A substantial award is available for information which leads to the recovery
of the work. 

Det Ch Insp Michael Dalgleish, of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, said:
"Police in the region are still determined to recover the painting and bring
those responsible for this crime to justice. 

"However, we concede that there are currently no lines of investigation open
to us. 

"Consequently, we are renewing our appeal for information and are urging
anybody who may have knowledge of the crime or whereabouts of the stolen
painting to come forward." 

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/696
5738.stm

Published: 2007/08/27 15:28:14 GMT