Precious Buddha statue stolen quickly in America

As of September 24, the identity and motive of the thief remained a mystery. According to Tribune News Service , the theft occurred at around 3 a.m. on September 18 (local time) at the Barakat Gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California - USA.

According to the gallery, the stolen statue is a seated Buddha with a halo over its head, about 121 centimeters tall. The statue was cast during Japan's Edo period (1603 - 1867) and may have been worshiped in a temple.

The statue was purchased by gallery owner Fayez Barakat 55 years ago and has been kept in his backyard for many years.

The stolen statue. Photo: New York Post

As Los Angeles police investigate, gallery staff have reviewed surveillance footage and come up with various theories. "We're still looking for clues," said gallery director Paul Henderson.

They speculated that the thief—or someone who knew him—had visited the gallery before. The statue had never been on display, but was kept in a hidden corner of the yard. The gallery had not posted any information about the statue on its website, and no one had asked about it recently.

Surveillance video captured the thief’s silhouette. His face was hidden under a Wu-Tang Clan hoodie. The thief parked his truck at the gallery entrance, took out a cart, and broke the bottom of the gate, entering the warehouse area.

He passed over wood carvings from Africa as well as terracotta roof tiles and stone carvings from Japan. His target was a hefty Buddha statue worth up to $1.5 million. The whole process took less than 25 minutes.

Barakat Gallery is located on La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles. Photo: Barakat Collection Facebook

Mr Henderson said it was a premeditated operation. "He moved with purpose, he didn't wander or look around. He knew where he was going," he said.

Mr. Barakat, who lives in London, England, highly values ​​the statue. He worries that the thief does not realize its rarity and importance. "I hope he did not steal it for the bronze. The statue is a historical treasure," the gallery owner said.

Police are looking for additional surveillance video from nearby businesses and plan to collect more evidence from the scene next week, according to KTLA.

Precious Buddha statue stolen quickly in America

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/tuong-phat-quy-gia-bi-trom-chong-vanh-o-my-20230924173113134.htm