Detectives Seek Stolen Sarasota Art – 44 Years Later

A 1969 art heist in Sarasota is getting a fresh look by detectives.

Forty paintings created by artist Ben Stahl were stolen from the Musuem of the Cross in Sarasota 44 years ago.

The museum, a tourist attraction, was located on 7400 South Tamiami Trail. Today the building is a medical office. But many have never forgotten the mysterious disappearance of Stahl's paintings.

Authorities have re-opened the cold case and are asking the media for help.

They believe someone in the art world -- a patron or collector -- may have seen the paintings.

On April 16, 1969, someone broke into the museum and took the paintings, which include a series called "Stations of the Cross."

Stahl had painted 15 pieces known as "The Sations of the Cross." All were 6 feet by 9 feet and painted in oil. Stahl also was well known as an illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post, according to the Associated Press.

In 1969, the 40 paintings were valued at $1 million but will have appreciated in value over time.

According to Stahl's family, the loss of the paintings devastated him. The family at the time felt that authorities did not pursue the case as vigorously as they could.

Investigators had said that whoever took the paintings were knowledgeable about art as they were careful in how the canvases were removed from the walls.