Art Heist Suspects Arrested, Paintings Still MIA

SARASOTA, FL — Somewhere in Sarasota are two paintings valued at $7,500 that were stolen and then discarded by two accused thieves. While those thieves have been identified, according to police, the whereabouts of the stolen artwork remains unknown.

The Sarasota Police Department announced the arrest of two men in connection with the Dec. 12 theft at Art Avenue, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, on Monday morning. Police say Anthony J. Larson, 30, and Rex L. Ballinger, 29, both of Sarasota, have been implicated in the crime.

The two men are accused of walking into the gallery around 5 p.m. Dec. 12, taking the two paintings off the wall and then walking out without paying.

Ballinger, an email from the sheriff’s office said, turned himself into authorities after his photograph was released. Larson was identified as the second suspect by a resident who recognized him, the Jan. 30 email noted.

Ballinger and Larson were both brought into custody on grand theft charges and have since bonded out of jail, police said. The two reportedly told detectives the paintings were discarded in the Sarasota area shortly after the crime was committed.

Main image via Shutterstock/Booking photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department