Multimillion-Dollar Stolen Art Recovery

On August 8, 2001, the private residence of Esther Koplowitz Romero De Joseu in Madrid, Spain, was robbed of more than twenty paintings and sculptures including works by Francisco Goya, Camille Pissaro, and the Japanese artist Foujita.

On June 25, 2002, the FBI's Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Division announced the successful results of a joint operation between the FBI and the Spanish National Police (SNP). He expressed his appreciation to the SNP for their professionalism and cooperation in the undercover operation.

The operation -- worked jointly by the New York FBI's Eastern European Organized Crime Task Force and the SNP -- resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the recovery of ten paintings. Spanish authorities place the estimated value of the recovered paintings at approximately $50,000,000, making this the largest stolen art recovery in decades. Apart from the high monetary value of the recovered works, the paintings are also national treasures of Spain.

Information developed by the New York FBI Task Force indicated that the three individuals arrested were seeking to sell the stolen art to an Eastern European criminal organization, and that the prospective purchasers were also looking for an expert to authenticate the paintings. The FBI was able to introduce an undercover agent with substantial knowledge of art to pose as an academic in the art world.

"The Temptation of Saint Anthony"

Those arrested were Angel Suarez Flores, Juan Manuel Candela Sapiehia, and Luis Miguel del Mazo Lopez. Subsequent to the arrests, the SNP executed search warrants in several locations in Madrid, including a car from which the following paintings were recovered:

"Las Fabricas" by Maximilien Luce
"Vista de Los Picos de Europa" by Carlos de Haes
"Mujer con Pajarito en las Manos" artist unknown
"Bodegon de Flores" by Hermengildo Anglada-Camarasa
"The Swing" by Francisco Goya
"Girl with Hat" by Foujita
"Escenas de Carnaval" by Jose Gutierrez Solana
"Al Bano Valencia" by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida
"Paysage a Eragny" by Camille Pissarro

The SNP describes the Angel Suarez Flores Organization as a criminal enterprise engaged in narcotics trafficking, auto theft, armed robbery, possession of stolen contraband, and homicide. According to the SNP, the investigation into the theft from the Koplowitz collection was especially challenging because of the organization's use of sophisticated countermeasures, like single-use cellular phones and encrypted email communications.

On September 10, 2002, Spanish police announced the recovery of the remaining paintings and statuettes that were stolen from the home of Esther Koplowitz Romero De Joseu during the summer of 2001. The items were found in an apartment in the town of Playa d'Aro in northeastern Spain, and included Francisco de Goya's "The Donkey's Fall," and "Dolls House" by Foujita. No new arrests were made. The most recent recovery came with help from police from Colombia, Switzerland, and Great Britain.

Related Links: | Field News | | Art Theft Program Webpage |