[CPProt.net] Berkeleyan arrested in art theft. Police recover part of photo collection that was stolen in San Rafael

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Berkeleyan arrested in art theft 
Police recover part of photo collection that was stolen in San Rafael 
By Kristin Bender, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area  
 
BERKELEY - Police discovered a collection of stolen black-and-white
professional photography prints valued at $6,500 in a Berkeley man's home
late Monday, but 240 pieces of the collection remain missing, police and the
artist said Tuesday. 
Gabriel Bernales, 32, of Berkeley was arrested on suspicion of keeping
stolen property, a probation violation and possession of drug paraphernalia,
police said. 

Police, including beat Officers Elizabeth Bashan and Samantha Speelman,
tracked Bernales to his South Berkeley home after discovering parts of a
stolen pickup truck, which was parked nearby on Sacramento Street, in his
yard, said police spokesman Joe Okies. 

Bernales was not arrested in connection with the truck theft,but the
investigation is ongoing, police said. Police are investigating how Bernales
wound up with the stolen professional photographs by San Francisco artist
Chris Honeysett. 

Police said Honeysett's prints were actually inside the back of a different
vehicle - a 10-foot commercial utility truck - when it was stolen from San
Rafael on Nov. 4. 

Honeysett, 40, said the truck was stolen the first night it was parked in
front of his recently-purchased commercial art studio in San Rafael. 

The truck was recovered in Hayward two weeks later, but all the artwork -
more than 300 pieces in all - and his set-up materials for festivals - were
gone. The truck also had been damaged. 

"I feel violated," said Honeysett, who hopes someone will spot the artwork
for sale at a flea market or on the street and alert police. "They really
cleaned me out." 

Honeysett said replacing the photos is going to be costly and time
consuming, but he plans on getting back on the festival circuit as soon as
possible. 

The still-missing artwork, which includes scenes of the Golden Gate Bridge,
oak trees in fog in Mendocino, and a pier in Inverness as well as shots
taken in Spain, England and Prague, is valued at about $25,000, Honeysett
said. 

"In my mind, I just keep thinking of what could become of my work,"
Honeysett said. "For it to fall into the hands of this negativity is
disheartening because I produce the work from a place of love and positive
energy." 

Still outstanding are 200 8-by-10-inch matted prints; 25 16-by-20-inch
framed prints; 10 20-by-24-inch framed prints; and five 30-by-40-inch framed
prints. 

The prints are of landscapes and architecture scenes and are signed and
stamped with the artist's name. 

Honeysett said he is offering a reward for information leading to the
recovery of his art. 

Anyone with information may e-mail him directly at mail at chrishoneysett.com
or call the Berkeley Police Department at 981-5900. Tipsters may remain
anonymous.