Detectives are still hoping to locate seven valuable art pieces that were in the back of a Budget rental truck that was stolen from North Seattle early Thursday morning. The truck was recovered yesterday in West Seattle, however, the art is still missing.
Patrol officers responded to a hotel near North 145th Street and Aurora Avenue North early Thursday morning to take a stolen truck report. The complainant stated that the seven paintings were in the back of the truck, being moved from a gallery in Pioneer Square when the theft occurred while the truck was in the parking lot of the hotel. Officers took the report and the investigation was forwarded to our Auto Theft Unit.
Yesterday morning officers in West Seattle responded to a suspicious call in the 3400 Block of SW Walnut Street. A caller saw the unoccupied parked truck and thought it might be the truck that had been featured on the local news. Officers confirmed that it was the reported stolen Budget rental truck. However, the artwork was no longer in the truck.
Detectives are seeking information about the missing artwork. There were seven paintings. View the list of stolen art.
Auto Theft detectives are still investigating the case. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Yamashita at (206) 684-8945 or Sergeant Backstrom at (206) 684-8948.