Two charged with stealing Banksy artwork 'Girl with a Balloon' from London gallery
Two alleged art thieves will appear in court in London next month accused of stealing a famous painting by the mysterious British street artist Banksy, "Girl With Balloon," which has now been recovered.
LONDON — Two alleged art thieves will appear in court in London next month accused of stealing “Girl With Balloon,” a famous painting by the mysterious British street artist Banksy.
London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement that two men were charged with burglary after an investigation by the force's Flying Squad, which combats serious and organized crime.
Larry Fraser, 47, from east London, and James Love, 53, from Essex, were both charged with non-residential burglary and placed in police custody on Thursday.
The pair also appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday and were told to reappear at Kingston Crown Court on Oct. 9. They have yet to enter an official plea.
The artwork — which shows a little girl letting go of, or perhaps reaching out for, a heart-shaped balloon — was stolen from a gallery in central London on Sept. 8 at 11:00 p.m, police said.
Rating: 5