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$21K piece of art stolen from St. Pete gallery, 1 arrested, 1 still at-large: SPPD

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Published  January 8, 2025 6:39pm EST
St. Petersburg
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • A man was arrested for stealing a piece of art from a St. Pete art gallery in November.
    • The piece was stolen from the McClellan Art Gallery, and it is worth $21,000.
    • The second suspect has not been arrested yet.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - A suspect has been arrested after a $21,000 piece of art was stolen from a St. Pete art gallery in November, according to the St. Pete Police Department.

The piece of art that was stolen from the Duncan McClellan Gallery, according to SPPD. The mug shot is courtesy of St. Pete Police Department.

Willie Wilson, 45, is accused of collaborating with another person to steal a glass sculpture from the McClellan Art Gallery. 

On Nov. 11, Wilson arrived at the store with the second suspect before he approached a sales associate for assistance.

According to SPPD, Wilson inquired about some of the art pieces in the outdoor portion of the store while the second suspect took the stolen item and tucked it under his clothing. Both suspects then exited the store together and investigators say they have evidence of the two texting each other during the incident.

READ: Man, woman arrested for squatting in Florida home after neighbor becomes suspicious: SCSO

Video taken from the store shows the incident happening and police say they are still investigating.

The second suspect has not been arrested yet.

It was later discovered that Wilson visited the store the day before the theft and the sales associate identified Wilson as the suspect.

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