Thief Swipes Art From Terryville Public Library: Police

PLYMOUTH, CT — A thief stole three art pieces which were on display at the Terryville Public Library on Wednesday.

Police said a man entered the library around 11:25 a.m. Wednesday with his face covered and his hood up.

Shortly afterward, library staff noticed three original pieces of artwork had been taken from a stairwell display, police said in an announcement on Facebook.

Connecticut artist Steven Parlato created the artworks, all portraits, which are part of a traveling statewide exhibit and were on temporary loan to the library, police said.

Each piece is valued at about $1,200, police said. The artwork was framed, and measured about 18 by 24 inches. If the thief removed the art from the frames, the paper is about 10.5 inches by 13 inches. Police posted images of all of the artworks on Facebook.

Police also released images of a male wearing a hood who is wanted for questioning. The individual pictured is wearing different outfits. According to police, they believe it is the same person in both pictures, whose image was captured on different dates. Police released the images hoping someone will recognize the person and contact them. On Thursday afternoon, police announced the individual has been identified. The investigation is ongoing.

Parlato told Patch Thursday afternoon he began a collage series called “THEY ARE NOT DISPOSABLE” in the wake of George Floyd’s 2020 murder. The art pieces are created from household discards such as pizza and cereal boxes and junk mail, he said. Each depicts an individual “whose life was stolen due to racism,” he said.

The stolen portraits are of the late Tatiana Hall, Eleanor Bumpurs, and Rayshard Brooks.

Parlato said he felt a deep sense of loss when he learned their portraits had been stolen.

“Knowing these images—of people whose lives were tragically stolen—were also stolen, feels like a double erasure of their humanity,” Parlato said.

“Whether someone took them out of admiration, financial need, or a wish to silence my message, I remain committed to continuing this work,” he said.

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Parlato said he is optimistic the portraits will be recovered undamaged.

He will be presenting a program called “ART FOR CHANGE,” at the library on Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m., and he hopes the portraits will be returned in time for that presentation.

Anyone who has information about the theft is asked to contact police via the department’s Tip Line: 860-589-7779.