The thief who stole Banksy’s last work arrested half an hour after the author showed it on his networks

2023-12-24 13:27:15

The mystery of Bansky It continues to generate a lot of expectation. The renowned street artist, whose identity remains a mystery despite multiple rumors and speculation, continues despite the passage of years to generate headlines and focus on newspaper covers and in recent hours he has been the protagonist of a new case that confirms the stir he generates.

Its last story dates back to London. The artist published a photograph with his latest work on his Instagram account last Friday morning. It was a composition like the ones he usually makes, with three planes that were over a stop sign. Many saw clearly that the image was a call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and it also arrived on the same day that the UN called for help in the area in the face of the catastrophic situation.

The expectation was maximum. It was located in a location south of London, at a crossroads in the Peckham area, and in half an hour someone stole the work. The video in which a stranger, with pliers in hand, ran him away was captured. Another man helped him by holding the bicycle so he could reach the sign.

Arrested a day later

Gallerists even estimated to the British media that the value of the work could reach up to £500,000 and they activated investigations to find them, who did not worry about hiding their identity. “We’re not just talking about a sign on the street, it’s a piece of art that was placed there for the community. It is street art and it is for the people,” stated municipal sources.

This Saturday late in the day it was learned that the London Metropolitan Police had arrested the alleged thief. The detainee is now charged with crime of theft and another of damages and remains in custody, as reported by the BBC.

This is not the first time something similar has happened. The day of Valentine’s Day This year, shortly after Banksy confirmed its authenticity, a 3.8-ton mural titled ‘Valentine’s Day Mascara’, which appeared on the side of a house in Margate, southern England, was dismantled.