Picasso print stolen in 2018 found in Milwaukee apartment

A Picasso print stolen from a Milwaukee gallery in 2018 has been recovered after being found in a vacant apartment. The artwork, titled 'Torero,' is one of only 30 known signed prints by the artist and was valued at between $35,000 and $50,000 at the time of the theft Source: ABC.es.

The discovery

The print was found by property owner Tim Dertz while cleaning an apartment after a tenant was evicted. Dertz told local TV station WISN-TV that the piece was "in a strange place, hanging on a wall" and appeared to have been there for a long time, covered in dust Source: Euronews. After showing it to an antique dealer friend, who recognized it as the stolen Picasso, Dertz handed it over to the Milwaukee Police. The police then contacted gallery owner Bill DeLind, who identified the work by the gallery's sticker still on the back of the frame Source: Infobae.

The reaction

DeLind expressed shock and emotion upon the recovery: "I was speechless. It was a very emotional moment for me" Source: ABC.es. He noted that his former business partner, who died in February, had been devastated by the theft and called police every year on the anniversary to ask them to publicize it again Source: Euronews.

What's next

The print remains in police custody while the client who had commissioned it for sale through the gallery resolves matters with their insurance company Source: ABC.es. The Milwaukee Police say the case is still under investigation, though the statute of limitations for theft and property crimes in the jurisdiction is generally six years Source: Infobae.