Stolen Banksy Painting Returned and Two Men Charged
Stolen Banksy Painting Returned and Two Men Charged
Two men have been charged with burglary over the theft of a Banksy artwork that was taken in a smash-and-grab raid on a London gallery. The stolen work, which is valued in court documents at $355,000, was recovered and returned to the gallery. The suspects, Larry Fraser, 47, and James Love, 53, appeared in court on Thursday and will make another appearance on Oct. 9. Banksy, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two policemen kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, ‘Laugh now, but one day I’ll be in charge.’