Minnesota Star Tribune

Police investigating multimillion dollar art heist probe tips from the public, study video

The Associated Press
October 17, 2012 at 4:21PM
A security guard stands near the emergency exit doors used by thieves to carry seven stolen paintings out of Kunsthal museum, as the museum opened it's door to the public following early Tuesday morning's heist, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. Police investigating a multimillion euro (dollar) art heist say they are following up several tips from the public, a day after thieves grabbed seven paintings from the walls of a Rotterdam gallery and vanished into the night. A spokes
A security guard stands near the emergency exit doors used by thieves to carry seven stolen paintings out of Kunsthal museum, as the museum opened it's door to the public following early Tuesday morning's heist, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

AMSTERDAM - Police investigating a multimillion euro (dollar) art heist say they are following up several tips from the public, a day after thieves grabbed seven paintings from the walls of a Rotterdam gallery and vanished into the night.

A spokeswoman for detectives on the case, Willemieke Romijn, said Wednesday they have some 15 tips from the public, following a late-night, nationally televised appeal for witnesses to the theft from the Kunsthal gallery of works by celebrated artists including Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Henri Matisse.

Romijn tells The Associated Press detectives also are studying video surveillance images of the night of the break-in.

Police on Tuesday focused their attention on a rear door that thieves most likely used to get into the gallery before snatching the paintings.

Police officers guard a cordoned off area at the rear side of the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam, Tuesday Oct. 16, 2012. Several paintings have been stolen from a museum in the Dutch city of Rotterdam that was exhibiting works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. At least several paintings were stolen early Tuesday morning from the Kunsthal museum , but their names have not yet been released. They are believed to include at least one by Henri Matisse, the 1919 "Reading Girl."
Police officers guard a cordoned off area at the rear side of the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam, Tuesday Oct. 16, 2012. Several paintings have been stolen from a museum in the Dutch city of Rotterdam that was exhibiting works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. At least several paintings were stolen early Tuesday morning from the Kunsthal museum , but their names have not yet been released. They are believed to include at least one by Henri Matisse, the 1919 "Reading Girl." (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

More from Minnesota Star Tribune

See More

Minnesota Star Tribune

Medical emergency turns into nightmare as ICE detains Mounds View couple en route to ER

card image
Provided/Sahan Journal

Family members and a lawyer say they have been blocked from access to the bedside of Bonfilia Sanchez Dominguez, while her husband was detained and shipped to Texas within 24 hours.

Sports

Patrick Reusse Turkey of the Year past winners, from 1978 to today

card image

Minnesota Star Tribune

Sign up for Star Tribune newsletters