Masked art thief who tried to steal two Rembrandts from a suburban gallery DUMPS the paintings outside after spraying police with ‘unknown substance’ as he fled into the night
- Police were scrambled to the south London art gallery at 11.30pm yesterday
- Officers challenged the intruder but he sprayed substance in one’s face
- He got away but left behind the two paintings which were quickly recovered
A bungling art thief is being hunted by police after trying and failing to steal two Rembrandt paintings from England’s oldest gallery.
The masked burglar managed to get into Dulwich Picture Gallery and take two masterpieces by the Dutch artist from the walls.
But he was rumbled when he accidentally triggered the security alarm, installed after a string of thefts at the museum.
Police were scrambled to the gallery in south London at 11.30pm last night where they confronted the intruder and started to chase him.
But he managed to escape after turning around and spraying one of the officers with an unknown substance.
Both paintings were found soon after in and around the gallery, which was designed by Sir John Soane and opened in 1817.
A manhunt is now underway to find the bungling thief. The officer was not harmed and was able to carry out the rest of his duties that night.
Police were scrambled to Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London (pictured this evening) at around 11.30pm last night where they found the masked intruder had forced his way in
The gallery was closed today while officers carry out their investigation. No arrests have been made
The gallery was closed today while officers carry out their investigation. No arrests have been made.
Dulwich bosses this evening refused to reveal which two paintings were taken and quickly recovered, but they are likely worth £100,000 combined.
Rembrandt is known as ‘one of the greatest painters that ever lived’, with his work still being showcased 350 years after he died.
The works of the Dutch artist were on show at the gallery, which was made an independent charity in 1994.
Detective Inspector Jason Barber, from the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, said: ‘This was an audacious attempted burglary and was clearly planned in advance.
‘Two paintings in the exhibition were targeted and it was only down to the prompt response of gallery security staff and the courage and swift intervention of officers that these two works of art were not stolen.
‘Thankfully both the paintings were quickly recovered and secured.’
The works of the Dutch artist Rembrandt (pictured) were on show at the gallery, which was made an independent charity in 1994
‘Our enquires now centre on finding whoever was responsible for this crime and I would ask anyone with information to call police.’
A Met Police spokesman added: ‘Police were called at 23:30hrs on Wednesday, 13 November, to reports of an alarm at Dulwich Picture Gallery.
‘An intruder appears to have forced entry to the gallery and removed the two paintings, which were part of an exhibition.
‘Officers arrived minutes later and, following the search of the area, challenged an intruder and an officer gave chase.
‘The intruder then turned and used a canister to spray the officer in the face with an unknown substance.
‘As a result of this assault, the suspect was able to get away. The officer who was sprayed did not suffer serious injuries and continued with his tour of duty.
‘The officer located and recovered one painting, and in cooperation with security staff, the other painting was also quickly found.
‘Neither painting had left the gallery grounds and both remain in the gallery’s care.’
Rembrandt is known as ‘one of the greatest painters that ever lived’, with his work still being showcased 350 years after he died
Pictured: Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London opened in 1817