Stolen Art Watch, Pebble Beach Art Heist, Messing With FBI Firepower, Fraught With Danger !!!

Pebble Beach art collectors seek FBI probe of Monterey County Sheriff's Office
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13651455

Two men who say millions of dollars' worth of art were stolen from their rented Pebble Beach home have asked the FBI to investigate the Monterey County Sheriff's Office for possible "corruption, collusion and cronyism."

Nearly three weeks after a sheriff's spokesman declared that Angelo Benjamin Amadio and Dr. Ralph Kennaugh had become suspects in their own case, an attorney for the men is asking federal authorities to look into why the department's response to the theft was "to victimize the victim."

On Sept. 25, the men reported a break-in and theft of prints by Miro, Rembrandt and Matisse, as well as a painting by Jackson Pollock and a drawing by Vincent van Gogh. The collection has been valued at more than $27 million.

Days later, the men reported finding an extortion note that demanded $10 million and threatened to kill them.

The men's attorney, Vicki St. John, said she sent letters and documents by overnight courier Monday requesting meetings with the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco and an FBI supervisor in Washington. Copies of the letters, which include a chronology of events in the case, were provided to The Herald.

The request centers on allegations that investigation of the case was stonewalled because of a previous personal grudge against Amadio by a volunteer at the department who is close to Sheriff Mike Kanalakis.

Sheriff's spokesman Cmdr. Mike Richards said he had not seen the documents late
Monday, but called the allegations "just ludicrous."

He said his department is still looking into whether the men have committed some sort of fraud, allegations he announced at an Oct. 6 news conference.

The letter maintains that information about the missing art was given to deputies on "five separate occasions" while Richards complained that the men were not cooperating and accused them of involvement in a "possible criminal enterprise."

"The truly ridiculous thing about these accusations," reads St. John's letter, "is that all the art was uninsured and owned for the past 10 to 30 years by my clients."

However, at least until now, the victims have shown very little documentation of the art's authenticity. And it appears that at least some of the loss may be covered under a renters' insurance policy of up to $500,000.

Richards has said that at the very least, his department might file misdemeanor charges for allegedly lying to a law enforcement officer.

"We are absolutely still investigating (them)," Richards said Monday.

But one month after the art was reported stolen, no charges have been filed.

Julia Reynolds can be reached at 831-648-1187 or jreynolds@montereyherald.com.

Art Hostage Comments:

"Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far"

(Roosevelt, Chicago 1903)

"He who hesitates is lost"

"You will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"

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We are now in the proverb stage, next stop arrest-ville !!!!!

Stolen Art Watch, Da Vinci Madonna Hearing set for Armistice Day, November 11th 2009 !!

Five men accused of demanding £4.25m for stolen da Vinci painting face trial

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6881365.ece

Five men accused of demanding £4.25 million for the safe return of a Leonardo da Vinci painting stolen from the Duke of Buccleuch will face trial next year.

The men are facing charges of trying to extort the money from the late duke, his son and the insurers of the work, known as Madonna with the Yarnwinder.

The artwork was found in Glasgow in 2007 — four years after it was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill, in Dumfries and Galloway.

Marshall Ronald, 53, Robert Graham, 57, and John Doyle, 61, of Lancashire, and Callum Jones, 44, of Kilmalcolm, Renfrewshire and David Boyce, 52, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, were excused attendance during a preliminary hearing today at the High Court in Glasgow.

Judge Lord Kinclaven set a trial for March 1 next year at the High Court in Edinburgh. It is expected that the case may last up to six weeks. There will be another preliminary hearing on November 11. (Armistice Day)

The painting, which has an estimated value of £30 million, has been in the Duke of Buccleuch’s family for two centuries.

Stolen Art Watch, Da Vinci Madonna Trial, March 2010 !!

Trial date for da Vinci accused
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8314509.stm

Five men facing extortion charges over the recovery of the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece Madonna with the Yarnwinder are to stand trial next year.

The artwork was found in Glasgow in 2007 - four years after it was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill, in Dumfries and Galloway.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Kinclaven set a trial for March 2010.

The case against the men - three from Lancashire and two from Scotland - is expected to last for up to six weeks.

Marshall Ronald, 53, Robert Graham, 57, John Doyle, 61, all from Lancashire, Callum Jones, 44, from Renfrewshire and David Boyce, 52, from Lanarkshire, were all excused attendance during Monday's hearing.

The painting, which has a value estimated at £30m, has been in the Duke of Buccleuch's family for two centuries.

Depicting the Madonna with the infant Jesus holding a cross-shaped yarnwinder, it is believed by experts to have been painted between 1500 and 1510.

Stolen Art Watch, Huge Art and Antiques Haul, Long Gone !!!!!

Valuable Antique silver, coins, ceramics, clocks and books stolen in burglary at The Park, Reedness Road, Swinefleet, East Yorkshire

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POLICE are appealing for information in connection with a burglary that took place sometime between 0001hrs on Monday 22 May 2009 and 2359hrs on Tuesday September 1 2009.
Thieves approached a large detatched unoccupied property and stole a large amount of valuable antique items.

The items were listed as being in the property in January 2009 when the property was taken over by an Estate Agency.

Police would be keen to speak to anyone who may know the whereabouts of any of the property listed or anything about the incident.

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Humberside Police tel 0845 60 60 222 quoting CI/1701453/2009


Description

Details of item stolen

Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Barbados – Present Portrait.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Fiji – Clarence House
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Caymen Islands – Family Crest.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Barbados – Engagement Portrait.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Vanatu – End of Victorian Era.
Coin Collections 1895 Queen mother coin from Barbados – Engagement Portrait.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Jamaica – Wedding Elizabeth and Phillip
Coin Collections 1885 Queen Mother coin from Western Samoa – Youth in Glamis Castle
Coin Collections 1995 – Queen Mother coin from Nauru – Bombed Buckingham Palace
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Gambia – year of the three kings.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen mother coin from Tokelau – Birth of Prince Charles
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Cook Islands – Queen Mother and daughters.
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Alderney – Lady of Century
Coin Collections 1995 Queen Mother coin from Guernsey – 95th Birthday
Coin Collections 1996 Queen mother coin from Cook Islands – St Pauls Cathedral
Coin Collections 1996 Queen Mother coin from Balize – Summer in Balmoral Castle
Coin Collections 1996 Queen Mother coin from Fiji – Move to Buckingham Palace
Coin Collections 1993 – Queen Mother coin from Bhutan - St Pauls Walden Bury
Coin Collections 1996 – Queen Mother coin from Vanuatu – Birth of Prince William
Coin Collections 1996 – Queen Mother coin from Soloman Islands – Coronation
Coin Collections Queen Mother coin from the Seychelles – Royal Wedding
Coin Collections 1997 – Queen Mother coin from Tuvalu – degree of doctor of music
Coin Collections 1997 – Queen Mother coin from Tuvalu – Opening parliament Camberra
Coin Collections 1997 – Queen Mother coin – Young Girl Guide
Coin Collections 1997 – Queen Mother coin from Niue Islands – Blitz on London
Coin Collections 1997 – Queen Mother coin from Tokelau – VE day collections
Coin Collections 1998 – Queen Mother coin from Kiribati – Windsor Castle
Coin Collections 1998 – Queen Mother coin from Malawi – Abdication
Coin Collections 1998 – Queen Mother coin from Niue Islands – Silver Wedding
Coin Collections 1988 - Queen Mother coin from Naura – Costin of May
Coin Collections 1998 – Queen Mother coin from Papa New Guinea – Prince Charles
Coin Collections 1998 – Queen Mother coin from Samoa – Shamrocks
Coin Collections 1998 Queen Mother coin from Fiji – Launch of QE2
Coin Collections 1998 Queen Mother coin from Kiribati – Prince Charles
Coin Collections 1999 Queen Mother coin from Juatin 50th Birthday
Coin Collections 2001 Queen Mary coin from Cook Islands – 100th Birthday

Coin Collections 2001 Queen Mother coin from Gibraler – Royal Family Portrait
Coin Collections 2001 – Queen Mother coin from Isle of Man – Coronation
Coin Collections Gold Russian Rouble
Coin Collections Gold Russian Rouble
Coin Collections 1881 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1892 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1820 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1787 shilling
Coin Collections 1787 shilling
Coin Collections 1787 Six Pence
Coin Collections 1787 Six Pence
Coin Collections 1872 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1824 sovereign
Coin Collections 1830 sovereign
Coin Collections 1838 sovereign
Coin Collections 1817 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections Gold Noble
Coin Collections 1891 Guinea
Coin Collections 11 Sovereigns
Coin Collections 1884 Guineas
Coin Collections 1763 Shilling
Coin Collections 1828 Sovereign
Coin Collections 1702 Guinea
Coin Collections 1828 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1404-1407 Edward iv
Coin Collections 1788 Spada Guinea
Coin Collections 1691 5 Guinea
Coin Collections 1738 2 Guinea
Coin Collections 1739 2 Guinea
Coin Collections 1763 Shilling
Coin Collections 2000 sovereign
Coin Collections ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 1699 5 Guinea
Coin Collections 2001 Sovereign
Coin Collections 2001 ½ sovereign
Coin Collections 5 pound coin
Coin Collections 2002 Sovereign proof set
Coin Collections 2002 gold proof set

Paintings and Framed Picture A framed hand tinted engraved map of Somerset dated 1645
Books – Antique – Rare Volumes "The Zoology of HMS Beagle" printed in 1994
Gentleman's Watch 18 Carat Gold Rolex Cellini Wristwatch
Gentleman's Watch (Misc) Stainless steel ebel chronograph wristwatch
Pottery Liverpool Herculaneum coffee tin.
Silver Candlesticks A pair of silver Baluster candlesticks
Silver Candlesticks A pair of silver candlesticks
Silver Inkwell Inkwell
Silver sauceboat A reproduction silver sauce boat with serpant handle.
Silver tea service An Edwardian silver three part tea service.
Silver Bowls A silver bowl raised over an openwork pedestal ornamented with flower heads.
Silver Basket A pair of Edwardian silver baskets Assayed Chester 1914.
Silver Trays A Georgian silver card tray by Joh Schofield. Assayed London 1740.

Antiques A framed hand tinted engraved map of Somerset dated 1645.
Antiques Volumes "The Zoology of HMS Beagle" printed in 1994
Antiques A Georgian silver salver by John Schofield. Assayed London 1740.
Antiques A Georgian silver coffee pot by William Grundy. Assayed London 1763.
Antiques An 81 piece Silver Windsor Pattern Cuttlery set.
Antiques A Victorian Silver Christening Cup.
Antiques A Georgian Silver Vinaigette
Antiques Four silver picture frames
Antiques A pair of modern silver wine coasters chased with vine borders. Assayed Sheffield.
Antiques A silver three branch Candelsbra
Antiques A Rockingham single spur cream jug. Unmarked pattern 1527.
Antiques A Rockingham cup and saucer. Unmarked pattern 1527.
Antiques A large Rockingham jug with transfer printed pattern 1527.
Antiques A Rockingham plate with Botanical subjects and a single butterfly. Red Griffin.
Antiques A Rockingham utilitarian bread and butter plate. Gilt and grey border. Unmarked.
Antiques A Rockingham desert plate. Puce griffin pattern 615.
Silver Teapot A Rockingham ozier moulded teacup. Saucer and plate are badly damaged.


Silver Teapot A Rockingham Utilitarian part tea set. Unmarked pattern 1224 (saucer, teapot, cream jug, two bread and butter plates)
Silver Tureens A Rockingham twin handled Tureen. Unmarked cover.
Silver Jugs A Brameld can ware jug. Ornamented with blue mouldings.
Silver Bottles A Rockingham miniature rose water sprinkler in the form of a watering can. Lilac ground and guilded. Unmarked.
Silver Cups A Rockingham cup and saucer.
Silver plates A Rockingham plate. Pattern 836.
Silver Trays A Rockingham card tray with rustic handle. Painted to the centre with a named view of 'Osbourne Hall'.
Rare books Large Ornithology volume by Henry Jones. Illustrated throughout.
Furniture Regency Mahogany four poster bed frame.
Clocks A short Georgian oak thirty hour longcase clock with white painted dial.
Carriage clock An eight day brass cased carriage clock with repeater chiming on a coiled gong with silver dial. Signed Clarke.
Carriage clock An eight day brass cased carriage clock by 'R.Holdt' with enamel dial and chiming on a bell.
Carriage clock An eight day brass carriage clock repeater chiming on a gong.

Clocks A Georgian eight day Japanned longcase clock.
Clocks A Georgian eight day Gloucestershire musical longcase clock by 'Collings of Sodbury' striking eight bells.
Clocks A Georgian eight day fusee table clock by Phillip Lloys with ebonised case and silver dial.
Clocks A Georgian mahogany eight day longcase clock by Louis Leplastrier of London with engraved silver dial.
Coin Collections George II two Guinea coin dated 1739.
Coin Collections George II shilling issued by the Earl of Northumberland dated 1763.
Coin Collections Elizabeth II sovereign dated 2000
Coin Collections Elizabeth II half sovereign dated 2000
Coin Collections William III five Guinea coin dated 1699
Coin Collections Elizabeth II sovereign dated 2001
Coin Collections Elizabeth II half sovereign dated 2001
Coin Collections Elizabeth II five pound coin
Coin Collections Elizabeth II four coin proof set dated 2002.
Coin Collections A golden jubilee coin proof set dated 2002.
Coin Collections A Victoria half sovereign dated 1872.
Coin Collections A George IV sovereign dated 1830.
Coin Collections William IV sovereign dated 1817.
Coin Collections George III half sovereign dated 1817.
Coin Collections Edward III hammered gold noble.
Coin Collections William and Mary Guinea dated 1691.
Coin Collections Eleven Victorian Gold sovereigns
Coin Collections Two Charles II Guineas dated 1864
Coin Collections George III Shillings dated 1763.
Coin Collections George IV sovereign dated 1829
Coin Collections Queen Anne Guinea dated 1702
Coin Collections George IV sovereign dated 1828
Coin Collections George III 'spade' guinea dated 1788
Coin Collections William and Mary five guinea piece dated 1691.
Coin Collections George II two Guinea coin dated 1738
Coin Collections Thirty Eight special edition Queen Mother proof coins. Kirbati, Cook Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar etc.
Coin Collections Two Russian Gold Roubles.
Coin Collections Victorian half sovereign dated 1891
Coin Collections Victorian half sovereign dated 1892
Coin Collections George IV sovereign dated 1820
Coin Collections George III four coins, two shillings and two six pence pieces.

Stamps Three embossed G.B Victoria Stamps.
Clocks White faced long case antique clock.
Clocks 8 day brass and silver faced carriage clock.
Clocks 8 day brass and white dial clock chimes on bel circs 1845.
Clocks 8 day brass and white repealer clock.
Clocks English Lantern clock circa 1760 by Thomas Moore.
Clocks 8 day long case clock circa 1730.
Clocks 8 day Gloucestershire long case clock by Collings.
Clocks 8 day bracket clock by Phillip Lloyd circa 1785.
Clocks Mahogany long case clock circa 1787.
Candlesticks Pair of Baluster Candlesticks
Candlesticks Baluster Candlestick
Inkwell Silver Inkwell
Sauce Boat Serpant Sauce Bowl

Silverware Kemp Brothers 3 piece circa 1908
Silver bowl Moilisfont Bowl
Silverware Pair Baskets – chosier 1914 – 38oz
Silverware 1785 walter 12oz John Schofield
Silverware Silver coffee pot – William Grundy
Silverware 81 piece Windsor pattern cutlery set
Silverware Silver christening cup
Silverware Naigmills silver property
Photo Frames A Picture frame
Silver Item Grape and Wine Coasters
Candle Snuffer Candle Snuffer
Silver Item George III oval bead mounted waller by Hapstead 1799.
Silver Jug George IV bedroom mounted cream jug by Barber 1824.
Silver Cup George III wine cup 1797
Bed Regency Mahogany four poster bed

Art An antique map of Somerset.
Art Zoology of Voyage of HMS Beadle
Watch Gentleman's Watch – Rolex Cellimi
Watch A lady's designer watch
Antiques Horculaneum coffee Can
Paintings Painting of Jenny Jones Folio Society.
Chinaware Single spur cream jug Pattern 1527.
Chinaware Single spur tea cup and saucer pattern 1527.
Chinaware Large Jug
Chinaware Butterfly plate – red griffin
Chinaware Bread and Butter plate
Chinaware Desert plate – red griffin
Chinaware Rustic Trio
Chinaware Incomplete 3 spur tea set
Chinaware Cream Tureen
Chinaware Cain ware jug – blue
Chinaware Rose pourer with lavender artwork
Chinaware Cup and saucer
Chinaware Early plate
Postage Stamps 3 embossed G9 stamps Victoria
Chinaware Dish 'Osburton Hall' Puce Griffin

Stolen Art Watch, Stolen Jewellery Awaits Their Owners !!!

Police net largest ever stolen jewellery haul

THE largest haul of stolen jewellery recorded by Lothian and Borders Police has been recovered during a series of raids.

Police have begun the mammoth task of identifying the rightful owners of £150,000 worth of high-value rings, necklaces and ear-rings.

The collection, which contains many unique, unusual and antique pieces, is thought to have been stolen from houses around Edinburgh in the past two months.

One item alone, a small diamond set into a smooth silver ring, has been estimated to be worth more than £30,000. And another, a gemstone ring with an unusual fitting of two small silver monkeys, is thought to be a family heirloom.

Police said the jewellery, which also includes high value rings, necklaces and earrings, was recovered recently at a number of addresses in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

No-one has yet been charged in connection with the find.

Police are now looking to reunite the allegedly stolen items with their owners, and they are appealing for anyone who has had jewellery stolen over the past two months to come forward.

Sergeant David Brady, of the central intelligence team in Edinburgh, said he expected most of the pieces to be returned and appealed for anyone who has had jewellery stolen to come forward.

"This is a very unusual find, as we do often recover high-value items. I cannot remember the last time we recovered so much jewellery," he said.

"Many of the pieces appear to be family heirlooms or antiques, and there are some very striking items in the collection.

"Obviously we hope that will make it easier to return these items to their rightful owners.

"The highest value piece is a small diamond ring worth around £30,000, but we would expect many of the items to be of immense sentimental value to their owners.

"While we cannot say for sure where all of the items have come from, we believe they have been stolen from addresses in Edinburgh over the past two months and so anyone who has had jewellery stolen should get in touch."

He added that officers would be looking for proof of ownership, such as a photo of the item or a receipt, before they would return the jewellery.

Anyone who has been the victim of jewellery theft should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131 with a description of the stolen item

Stolen Art Watch, Michael David Underwood, Knocking on Heavens Door !!!

Voodoo painting "killed my husband" Brighton widow claims
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4665882.Voodoo_painting__killed_my_husband__Brighton_widow_claims/
The widow of a former antiques “knocker boy” said her husband had been “killed” by a voodoo painting.

Rachel Underwood said her husband Michael Underwood, who has died aged 66, will take the whereabouts of a work of art to the grave with him.

Known by friends as “Slippery Mickey" or her “limping Lovejoy” Mr Underwood gained notoriety after acquiring a William Orpen painting entitled “Girls on the Beach” from an elderly woman in the Isle of Man in 1993.

He paid just £300 for artwork which was believed to be worth £30,000 at the time.

Police officers tried in vain to recover the painting but Mr Underwood always refused to say what had happened to it.

In 2006 he went to prison for six months after refusing to reveal its whereabouts.

They claimed he had used underhand means to buy the painting but Mrs Underwood said her husband never knew the value of the painting when he bought it.

She said: “I saw it just once. It was filthy and dirty, you would have paid about £5 for it at a market.

“He never told me what happened to it but swore he would never hand it over to the police and that he would rather burn it.

“To the lady’s family it was valuable but to me that picture was voodoo. It killed him.”

She added: “He always said when he died the painting would die with him and now we’ll never know.”

Mr Underwood appeared in Court on numerous occasions accused of dishonestly obtaining goods and theft. In 1993 he was sent to prison for two years after being found guilty of stealing a Berlin plaque worth £3,000 from an elderly woman in Chelsea, London.

His wife said he retired from the “knocker boy” trade in 2001 but continued to be targeted by police.

Earlier this year he appeared in court charged with concealing criminal property and perjury, the charges were dropped after Mr Underwood fell seriously ill.

Mrs Underwood, who said her husband was a true Brighton character, said: “I can’t pretend he walked a straight line, but who does?

“They called him the limping Lovejoy from the Antiques Rogueshow.

“He laughed, he didn’t care what they said about him.

“He never deserved the bad publicity.”

She said: “Everyone loved him, they’d say here comes peg leg - hide your silver.

“He was a rogue but a lovable rogue.

“I first met him when I was 16 and he was the love of my life.

“He was a lovely man and a lovely father.”

Mr Underwood, of Copenhagen Court, Brighton Marina, died on Saturday September 26.

He is survived by his wife Rachel, children Claudia, Michael, Rachel and James, and seven grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Friday.

Art Hostage Comments:

Michael David Underwood, labeled one of most notorious Brighton Knocker Boy's, leaves this mortal coil with his place in the folk law of Brighton firmly intact.

Love him or hate him, Mickey Underwood certainly left his mark.

Art Hostage thinks this song below sums up Michael David Underwood, who as I write, has offered St Peter a Monkey for the Pearly Gates.

Knocking on Heavens Door

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsyuLmGF-ow&feature=youtu.be

The words are about redemption.

Mickey Underwood was always a big money-getter, and more importantly, he would always hand over the money to Rachel, (otherwise it would go on the first Favourite) to keep his family well fed, well clothed, and well away from the Brighton Antiques Trade, that was so much a part of Mickey's life.

Throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's when Brighton Knocker boys returned to Brighton they would pass the big house on the Brangwyn estate and comment on how successful Mickey Underwood was in earning big money.

Whilst it would be easy to take cheap shots at the Ambassador, as Mickey was called, Art Hostage recognises the cultural significance of the Brighton Knockers, especially Michael David Underwood, to the history of Brighton.

The brand new Mercedes estate reg: H1 MDU was a regular feature around Brighton in the early 90's and was the envy of many Brighton Knockers and dealers.

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Art Hostage has been contacted with the news:

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"Olive has the Orpen"

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And by a different source saying the Orpen is to be stashed inside Mickey's false leg and cremated with him, thus giving Mickey the last laugh.

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