By SCM Staff Writer
LONDON – A CROOK has been caged for 13 months after a botched smash-and-grab on a London art gallery saw him pinch a $270,000 Banksy print – only for the Met’s Flying Squad to recover the masterpiece and coner him in just four days.
Larry Fraser, 49, used a HAMMER to force his way into the Grove Gallery in Fitzrovia, London, and snatch the iconic “Girl with Balloon” 2004 signed print.
The dramatic burglary, caught on camera, saw the thief disguise himself in a mask, gloves and hooded jacket before fleeing the scene with the pricey artwork.
But Fraser’s cunning plan came crashing down as the elite Flying Squad launched an immediate, lightning-fast probe.
Tireless officers tracked the suspect to a van several streets away, catching him on CCTV loading the masterpiece before speeding off.
The speed of the investigation was described as “remarkable” by the relieved gallery manager.
Fraser, of Evelyn Denington Road, Beckton, was banged up on Friday after pleading guilty to non-residential burglary at Kingston Crown Court.
He was arrested at his home less than 48 hours after the Sunday, September 8, 2024, heist.
The stolen painting was recovered just two days later following a warrant on the Isle of Dogs.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, of the Flying Squad, who led the case, hailed the speedy success.
He said: “Banksy’s Girl with Balloon is known across the world – and we reacted immediately to not just bring Fraser to justice but also reunite the artwork with the gallery.
“The speed at which this took place is a testament to the tireless work of the Flying Squad officers – in total it took just four days for normality to be restored.”
’Remarkable’ Work
Gallery manager Lindor Mehmetaj, 29, was overjoyed to have the painting back.
He said: “I was completely, completely shocked, but in a very, very positive way when the Flying Squad showed me the actual artwork.
“It’s very hard to put into words, the weight that comes off your shoulders.
“The way that they dealt with it from the moment they arrived on the scene – pragmatic, logical, very composed and ultimately professional.
“But also, to have the artwork recovered after it had been robbed from us is remarkable.”
A second defendant, James Love, 54, was found not guilty of the burglary following a trial.
