Slow getaway? Thief walks off with £1,850 bronze turtles from Stamford gallery
A bronze sculpture called Turtle Duo vanished from a Lincolnshire art gallery in broad daylight. Police have released a CCTV image.
Turtles are not famous for their speed. This pair, however, appear to have made a remarkably quick exit.
Turtle Duo, a bronze sculpture of two turtles by wildlife artist Stephen Rew, was taken from Adrian Hill Fine Art in Stamford at about 14:40 on 3 October, according to Lincolnshire Police. It is worth around £1,850 – which, for anyone keeping score, is a lot of money per turtle.
Gallery owner Adrian Hill said it was the first time anything had been taken in his 23 years in the business. “We like to think we’re very vigilant,” he said. “We’ve never had anything taken before.”
Police have released a CCTV image of a man seen leaving the gallery who they think “may have information that could assist us in our investigation”, and are appealing for help to identify him.
Rew is no small-fry sculptor: he was named Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019 by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and the gallery says he works with conservation charities to “do his bit” for animals.
Bronze is heavy, turtles are distinctive, and solid metal reptiles are not the easiest thing to shift quietly down the pub. Anyone offered a suspiciously shiny pair should contact Lincolnshire Police.
