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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police Recover 20 Years’ Worth Of Stolen Art

Associated Press

Police recovered an estimated $3 million in paintings, sculptures and other objects stolen from churches, museums and private homes over the past 20 years, officials said Tuesday.

The works, including a bronze statue of Christ stolen from the Stibbert Museum in Florence, were discovered in 11 Italian cities during a two-month sweep of art dealerships, auction houses, pawn shops and private homes, the art theft squad of the paramilitary Carabinieri said.

Investigators traced the works to an art dealer in the Belgian city of Antwerp and have charged 21 people with trafficking in stolen goods.

Police did not disclose where the arrests were made or provide names of any suspects.