Eight arrested over RM1.5mil art theft

Chen Shijie,54 (left) and Sepang OCPD Asst Comm, Mohd Yusoff Awang looking at the recovered paintings worth RM1.5 million. SAMUEL ONG / THE STAR

SEPANG: Police have arrested eight suspects over the theft of six paintings valued at RM1.5mil.

The paintings by award-winning People's Republic of China (PRC) artist Chen Shi Jie were supposed to be exhibited at the Sasaran International Art Festival in Kuala Selangor in November.

However they went missing from the baggage claims area of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Nov 20.

Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Yusoff Awang said the suspects, aged between 19 and 59, were arrested between Dec 6 and Dec 9 in various areas in Kuala Lumpur.

"We apprehended the first suspect, who is a 44-year-old artist, on Dec 6. The remaining seven were arrested within three days.

"One of them was a gallery owner, who has the title "Datuk".

"We recovered the paintings at the Datuk's house in Damansara," he added.

ACP Yusoff explained that among the eight suspects, two were lecturers at public and private institutions, while the others were in the arts industry.

The suspects comprised four men and four women.

The case is being probed under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.