Brazilian police arrest 6 people who stole 16 works of art

Police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have arrested six people accused of being involved in the theft of 16 works of art worth over R$700 million ($139 million), some of which have been returned.

“The group stole art from an 82-year-old widow who was married to a collector and art dealer,” police said in a statement.

The collection includes museum quality pieces by Brazilian artists Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano de Cavalcante.

A video provided by the police showed more than 10 works found under the bed, and at the bottom of the pile was Puente Sun, a painting by Do Amaral depicting a vibrant sunset.

“Wow! Look who’s here!” yelled the female police officer as she removed the bubble wrap from her job, while the officer yelled as she peeled the bubble wrap from her job, “Oh pretty girl. Glory!”

According to the statement, the widow’s daughter orchestrated the theft and did not reveal any of their names.

The daughter was among those arrested Wednesday, local media reported, and she also showed pictures of a woman trying to escape from a window when police arrived.

The paintings were not stolen as a result of a robbery, but through a strange ploy. In January 2020, a self-proclaimed priest approached a widow in the Copacabana area and informed her that her daughter was sick and would die soon.

The widow, who adheres to Sufi beliefs, had to make a bank transfer totaling 5 million rials within two weeks for alleged spiritual healing.

Her daughter, who was offered to pay, had the maids evicted so that her partners could enter the house unhindered and remove the artwork.

After receiving threats from her daughter and her accomplices, the widow made additional bank transfers.

Source: Associated Press

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