Art News

Police say Picasso Theft was Part of Luxury Spree at New York Galleries and Hotels

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (AP).- A string of art heists at New York galleries and hotels went unsolved until an arrest in the theft of a Picasso drawing in San Francisco led authorities to a treasure trove inside a nondescript New Jersey apartment. Police believe Mark Lugo is responsible for at least eight thefts since June totaling more than $600,000 worth of artwork, including a $350,000 drawing by French artist Fernand Leger. Pieces from seven of those thefts were recovered during a police raid of Lugo’s Hoboken, N.J., home, as he awaited arraignment in the eighth case in San Francisco. Lugo, 30, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of grand theft, burglary and possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing the 1965 Picasso drawing called “Tete de Femme (Head