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Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Arizona art thief who was caught 'mid-heist' is sentenced to five years
A thief who was arrested on the roof of an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing seven artworks, including three Picassos and two Warhols, worth a quarter of a million dollars. Article content Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Harpreet Singh, aged 33, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. Article content Article content 'Art heists may seem glamorous in the movies, but in Maricopa County, they end with a prison sentence instead of a dramatic getaway,' Mitchell said. 'Thanks to the quick response from Scottsdale Police and MCAO prosecutors Richelle Burch and Jonathan Hutcheson, the only art this thief will be looking at for the next few years will be whatever's etched on the walls of his cell.' Article content According to a release from the Attorney's office and police reports, the theft occurred in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. The owner of American Fine Art Gallery arrived and noticed several paintings missing as well as noises from the floor above, and called police. Article content Scottsdale Police arrived and found Singh's BMW parked directly below an emergency access ladder leading to the roof. Atop the gallery, they found art pieces scattered around, along with a face mask, gloves and several tools. Article content With the help of a drone, they were able to spot Singh lying on the roof of another gallery nearby, where he was arrested. He told police he was homeless and came up to the roof to sleep, and denied owning a BMW. Police found the keys for the car next to him. Article content On January 7th, officers responded to an art gallery where an alarm was activated, with a possible subject still inside. Using the drone, the suspect was located and placed under arrest by Scottsdale PD. Art valued at around $250,000 was scattered throughout the rooftops. — ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) January 11, 2024 Article content After his arrest, Singh was released on $50,000 bail and ordered to wear and ankle monitor and not to leave Arizona, but court records say the monitor was found in a trash bin on March 6. Meanwhile, Singh didn't show up for hearings in April or May, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody again in Nevada. Article content Article content Singh has also pleaded guilty to one count of interference with monitoring devices for cutting off his ankle monitor. He was given 3.5 years of supervised probation for that offence. Article content Meanwhile, ABC News reported that Singh had been arrested less than a month earlier on a separate art theft in West Hollywood, Calif. He had been charged with breaking into the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery on Dec. 22 and stealing two Warhol edition prints valued at nearly $100,000. Article content Less than a week later, detectives arrested Singh outside another art gallery in West Hollywood. He was allegedly carrying one of the stolen Warhol prints; the other was found in his car. Article content
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Arizona art thief who was caught 'mid-heist' is sentenced to five years
A thief who was arrested on the roof of an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing seven artworks, including three Picassos and two Warhols, worth a quarter of a million dollars. Article content Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Harpreet Singh, aged 33, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. Article content Article content 'Art heists may seem glamorous in the movies, but in Maricopa County, they end with a prison sentence instead of a dramatic getaway,' Mitchell said. 'Thanks to the quick response from Scottsdale Police and MCAO prosecutors Richelle Burch and Jonathan Hutcheson, the only art this thief will be looking at for the next few years will be whatever's etched on the walls of his cell.' Article content According to a release from the Attorney's office and police reports, the theft occurred in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. The owner of American Fine Art Gallery arrived and noticed several paintings missing as well as noises from the floor above, and called police. Article content Scottsdale Police arrived and found Singh's BMW parked directly below an emergency access ladder leading to the roof. Atop the gallery, they found art pieces scattered around, along with a face mask, gloves and several tools. Article content With the help of a drone, they were able to spot Singh lying on the roof of another gallery nearby, where he was arrested. He told police he was homeless and came up to the roof to sleep, and denied owning a BMW. Police found the keys for the car next to him. Article content On January 7th, officers responded to an art gallery where an alarm was activated, with a possible subject still inside. Using the drone, the suspect was located and placed under arrest by Scottsdale PD. Art valued at around $250,000 was scattered throughout the rooftops. — ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) January 11, 2024 Article content After his arrest, Singh was released on $50,000 bail and ordered to wear and ankle monitor and not to leave Arizona, but court records say the monitor was found in a trash bin on March 6. Meanwhile, Singh didn't show up for hearings in April or May, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody again in Nevada. Article content Article content Singh has also pleaded guilty to one count of interference with monitoring devices for cutting off his ankle monitor. He was given 3.5 years of supervised probation for that offence. Article content Meanwhile, ABC News reported that Singh had been arrested less than a month earlier on a separate art theft in West Hollywood, Calif. He had been charged with breaking into the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery on Dec. 22 and stealing two Warhol edition prints valued at nearly $100,000. Article content Less than a week later, detectives arrested Singh outside another art gallery in West Hollywood. He was allegedly carrying one of the stolen Warhol prints; the other was found in his car. Article content
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Arizona art thief who was caught 'mid-heist' is sentenced to five years
A thief who was arrested on the roof of an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing seven artworks, including three Picassos and two Warhols, worth a quarter of a million dollars. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Harpreet Singh, aged 33, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. 'Art heists may seem glamorous in the movies, but in Maricopa County, they end with a prison sentence instead of a dramatic getaway,' Mitchell said. 'Thanks to the quick response from Scottsdale Police and MCAO prosecutors Richelle Burch and Jonathan Hutcheson, the only art this thief will be looking at for the next few years will be whatever's etched on the walls of his cell.' According to a release from the Attorney's office and police reports, the theft occurred in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. The owner of American Fine Art Gallery arrived and noticed several paintings missing as well as noises from the floor above, and called police. Scottsdale Police arrived and found Singh's BMW parked directly below an emergency access ladder leading to the roof. Atop the gallery, they found art pieces scattered around, along with a face mask, gloves and several tools. With the help of a drone, they were able to spot Singh lying on the roof of another gallery nearby, where he was arrested. He told police he was homeless and came up to the roof to sleep, and denied owning a BMW. Police found the keys for the car next to him. On January 7th, officers responded to an art gallery where an alarm was activated, with a possible subject still inside. Using the drone, the suspect was located and placed under arrest by Scottsdale PD. Art valued at around $250,000 was scattered throughout the rooftops. After his arrest, Singh was released on $50,000 bail and ordered to wear and ankle monitor and not to leave Arizona, but court records say the monitor was found in a trash bin on March 6. Meanwhile, Singh didn't show up for hearings in April or May, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody again in Nevada. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Singh has also pleaded guilty to one count of interference with monitoring devices for cutting off his ankle monitor. He was given 3.5 years of supervised probation for that offence. Meanwhile, ABC News reported that Singh had been arrested less than a month earlier on a separate art theft in West Hollywood, Calif. He had been charged with breaking into the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery on Dec. 22 and stealing two Warhol edition prints valued at nearly $100,000. Less than a week later, detectives arrested Singh outside another art gallery in West Hollywood. He was allegedly carrying one of the stolen Warhol prints; the other was found in his car. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Arizona art thief who was caught 'mid-heist' is sentenced to five years
Article content A thief who was arrested on the roof of an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing seven artworks, including three Picassos and two Warhols, worth a quarter of a million dollars. Article content Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Harpreet Singh, aged 33, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. Article content Article content 'Art heists may seem glamorous in the movies, but in Maricopa County, they end with a prison sentence instead of a dramatic getaway,' Mitchell said. 'Thanks to the quick response from Scottsdale Police and MCAO prosecutors Richelle Burch and Jonathan Hutcheson, the only art this thief will be looking at for the next few years will be whatever's etched on the walls of his cell.' Article content According to a release from the Attorney's office and police reports, the theft occurred in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. The owner of American Fine Art Gallery arrived and noticed several paintings missing as well as noises from the floor above, and called police. Article content Scottsdale Police arrived and found Singh's BMW parked directly below an emergency access ladder leading to the roof. Atop the gallery, they found art pieces scattered around, along with a face mask, gloves and several tools. Article content With the help of a drone, they were able to spot Singh lying on the roof of another gallery nearby, where he was arrested. He told police he was homeless and came up to the roof to sleep, and denied owning a BMW. Police found the keys for the car next to him. Article content On January 7th, officers responded to an art gallery where an alarm was activated, with a possible subject still inside. Using the drone, the suspect was located and placed under arrest by Scottsdale PD. Art valued at around $250,000 was scattered throughout the rooftops. — ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) January 11, 2024 Article content After his arrest, Singh was released on $50,000 bail and ordered to wear and ankle monitor and not to leave Arizona, but court records say the monitor was found in a trash bin on March 6. Meanwhile, Singh didn't show up for hearings in April or May, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody again in Nevada. Article content Article content Singh has also pleaded guilty to one count of interference with monitoring devices for cutting off his ankle monitor. He was given 3.5 years of supervised probation for that offence. Article content Meanwhile, ABC News reported that Singh had been arrested less than a month earlier on a separate art theft in West Hollywood, Calif. He had been charged with breaking into the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery on Dec. 22 and stealing two Warhol edition prints valued at nearly $100,000. Article content Less than a week later, detectives arrested Singh outside another art gallery in West Hollywood. He was allegedly carrying one of the stolen Warhol prints; the other was found in his car. Article content
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
He Wanted a Rare Mustang. When the Seller Backed Out, the Buyer Came Back with a Gun
NEED TO KNOW Alexander Lee Smith was sentenced last Friday to two consecutive life sentences for the Nov. 2023 murders of Walter Mitchell and Susie Ephrem Smith shot and killed the couple inside their Peoria, Ariz., home after a deal to buy Mitchell's rare Mustang fell through Smith had twice tried to convince police he had purchased the car from Mitchell before investigators grew suspicious, leading to his confession and arrest a year laterAn Arizona man has received two consecutive life sentences for murdering a couple in 2023 who owned a car that he wanted to purchase, one day after their transaction fell through. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced the sentencing last Friday, detailing how investigators were able to tie Alexander Lee Smith to the November 2023 double homicide. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the 21-year-old man 'forced his way' into the home of Walter Mitchell and Susie Ephrem and shot both of them. Ephrem was able to call 911 but later died from her wounds at a local hospital, while Mitchell died at the scene. The couple's 8-year-old grandson was also home during the deadly break-in but wasn't harmed, according to officials. Prosecutors say Smith met the couple after becoming interested in purchasing Mitchell's Ford Shelby GT500, a high-performance version of a Mustang. Smith was set to buy the luxury car, but Mitchell called off the sale after the 21-year-old's wire transfer did not go through, according to authorities. That night, Mitchell sold the car to a local car dealership, authorities said. The next day, Smith broke into the couple's home and fatally shot them both. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Authorities were still investigating the scene when Smith showed up the next day, telling officers that he worked for a car collector who had purchased the car from Mitchell. Officers turned Smith away, but two weeks later, the 21-year-old man showed up again at the Peoria police station and inquired about the car. The attorney's office said officers realized Smith's story didn't match up with what he'd told detectives at the scene two weeks earlier, and they grew suspicious. GPS records from Smith's phone placed him near the scene on the night of the killings, while detectives were also able to match his fingerprints to the front door handle of the couple's home. Smith was arrested in November 2024 and later pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, as well as one count of first-degree burglary. 'This was an act driven by greed; even after taking two lives, this defendant continued to lie to police to try to get the car,' Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement last week. 'Thanks to Peoria Police and MCAO prosecutors, his story unraveled, and he will spend the rest of his life facing the consequences of his choices.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
