A shocking revelation has emerged regarding a US couple, Jerry and Rita Alter from New Mexico, suspected of orchestrating a high-profile art heist in the 1980s, as reported by The Metro. The couple, leading seemingly ordinary lives, are now under scrutiny for allegedly stealing a valuable Willem de Kooning painting, valued at approximately 120,000,000 pounds (Rs 1223.16 crore), from an art museum in Arizona.
Following Jerry’s passing, the stolen artwork was discovered hanging behind their bedroom door. The FBI has launched an investigation into their potential involvement in numerous other art thefts and is endeavoring to locate two additional paintings found in their possession, according to the news report.
Despite their modest incomes, the Alters managed to travel extensively worldwide. Their nephew informed the FBI that Rita possessed a significant sum of money in bonds prior to her demise.
According to The Metro, Rita possessed over $1,000,000 in bonds before her demise, despite her modest $16,000 salary. Their accumulated wealth was reportedly attributed to various inheritances.
Investigators suspect the couple may have been involved in the theft of two additional paintings from the Harwood Museum of Art in New Mexico back in 1985. The FBI is actively working to locate these missing artworks.
One of the stolen paintings was eventually recovered and returned to the museum in Tucson after being identified by vigilant customers at a local charity shop. However, the whereabouts of the other two paintings, believed to have been auctioned in Arizona, remain unknown.
The Harwood Museum is appealing to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two missing paintings to come forward.
Juniper Leherissey, executive director at Harwood’s, told the Taos News: “I don’t know if they’ve since been sold to that buyer, but likely someone purchased them and has been living with them for many years. Hopefully, they’ll recognise that they belong to the Harwood and give them back.”