[MSN] 'Clueless' thieves sell £1million Tiepolo painting for £350

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'Clueless' thieves sell £1million painting for £350
Last updated at 20:54pm on 4th June 2007
 
 
A £1 million painting stolen by a gang of 'clueless' thieves was discovered
on sale at a flea market for £350. 

Giandomenico Tiepolo's Scenes from a Venetian Carnival was stolen last year
from a private collector. 

It was recovered from Pordenone, near Venice, along with more than a dozen
other works of art worth more than £2.5million, following raids on a number
of markets across Italy. 

Police also arrested several members of a gang of art thieves who had
targeted homes in Rome. 

A spokesman said yesterday: "This gang was peddling works of art worth
millions for just a few hundred euros. They were completely clueless and had
no idea of the real value. 

"In fact to call them clueless would be a compliment." 

Tiepolo, whose works are characterised by vivid colour and movement, was
born in Venice in 1727. 

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