Million-peso robbery at auction house in Recoleta

SANTIAGO.- Paintings valued at a total of $ 200 million pesos were taken from an auction house located on Calle San Gerardo in the municipality of Recoleta.

The robbery was discovered when auctioneer Pablo Montero arrived at the premises on Thursday night and noticed that more than 30 pieces of artwork were missing.

According to police, the heist may have taken place early on the morning of the same day, when authorities believe at least four unknown individuals may have broken open a window pane to gain entrance to the building.

According to Officer Victor Fuentes of the Metropolitan Robbery Brigade, the assailants took pieces of artwork elaborated by painters such as (Alberto) Valenzuela Llanos, (José Tomás) Errázuriz, (Mauricio) Rugendas, among others, which are valued at a total of 200 million pesos.

The perpetrators –who remain on the loose- took another 150 thousand pesos from a safe.