[CPProt.net] Florida: Missing Miro painting returned to gallery

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

 Missing painting returned to gallery


Thursday, November 17, 2005

Geometric Design, a 1939 Joan Miro watercolor, was returned Wednesday to Jay
Halperyn, owner of Style de Vie gallery at 404 Hibiscus Ave.

Palm Beach police said they spoke to Matt Nelson by phone in Vero Beach
Tuesday after Halperyn reported the alleged theft of the artwork. Halperyn
had told police Nelson had expressed interest in buying the painting.

Halperyn told police that Nelson came to the Palm Beach gallery Sunday and
that when Nelson left the gallery the painting was gone.

Police said when they spoke to Nelson, he denied knowledge of the theft.

Police said they told Nelson that Halperyn agreed not to prosecute if he
could get the painting back, and that Nelson again denied knowledge of the
painting's whereabouts.

The painting arrived by Federal Express Wednesday morning with Halperyn's
name on the to and from labels, police said.

Halperyn said he had hoped to sell the painting for $27,500.

Police said they will take no further action in the case with Halperyn's
decision to not seek prosecution.


http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/