[CPProt.net] Art thief on the loose

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Art thief on the loose 
By Michelle Durand 
One of three people accused of trying to sell purloined artwork back to the
Menlo Park gallery that reported it missing failed to turn up to a court
hearing Wednesday, prompting a judge to issue a $50,000 warrant for his
arrest.

The warrant for Derek Hanson, 44, is just more than the $45,000 value of the
Stephen Foss he is accused of filching with Deanna Joao, 46, and Jeffrey
Harp III, 33. Hanson had been out of custody on a $25,000 bail bond and was
due in court Wednesday morning with the other two to confirm a Dec. 27
preliminary hearing date. His failure to appear vacated his hearing and
separated his case from the other pair, said Chief Deputy District Attorney
Steve Wagstaffe.

Prosecutors can also slap Hanson with a misdemeanor charge of bail jumping
after he is apprehended. 

Joao and Harp, both in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail, have pleaded not
guilty to charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, selling stolen
property and resisting arrest. They both return to court Tuesday to learn if
sufficient evidence exists to try them on the charges. 

The trio was arrested Dec. 11 after allegedly trying to sell the Stephen
Foss painting back to the gallery that reported it missing. On Nov. 23, the
thieves allegedly broke into a van parked in San Francisco belonging to the
owner of Sense Fine Art Gallery. Inside were eight pieces of art, including
the painting. Beginning Dec. 2, the gallery received phone calls from a man
requesting an appraisal of a Stephen Foss painting. 

When the trio arrived Sunday, they were met by undercover sheriff's deputies
and eventually arrested. Five pieces of artwork remain outstanding. 

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle at smdailyjournal.com or by
phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a
letter to the editor: letters at smdailyjournal.com.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/