[MSN] 4th Church Reports Theft Of Art. All Saints Reports Madonna Painting Stolen.

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4th Church Reports Theft Of Art
All Saints Reports Madonna Painting Stolen

POSTED: 3:48 pm CDT June 26, 2006
UPDATED: 5:20 pm CDT June 26, 2006


OMAHA, Neb. -- For the fourth time in less than two months, thieves have
apparently targeted art in an Omaha church.

The victim this time is All Saints Episcopal Church at 93rd and Blondo
streets. The church reported that someone has taken a painting.

"A picture of Madonna and child. It's a very large painting -- about 6 feet
tall," said the church's Deacon Robert Henrichsen.

The painting hung in the lobby at the church for years. Then, it turned up
missing. 
 

"Our choir director was having practice on a Wednesday night, happened to
notice the painting was missing and told us about it the next morning,"
Henrichsen said.

After a check to make sure the painting wasn't being restored or cleaned,
the deacon called police.

"We heard a report on the news that other churches had had thefts, and we
figured that's what happened to ours at the same time," he said.

The first reported theft of church art in Omaha was reported in early May at
Immaculate Conception near 24th and Bancroft streets. Then, two other
Catholic churches were hit -- St. Thomas More at 48th and Grover streets,
and St. Joseph At 17th and Center streets.

An art curator with Joslyn Museum told KETV NewsWatch 7 that the paintings
are worth very little money, but to churches, the sentimental value is
priceless.

"Very sad," Henrichsen said. "Very disappointing that something like this
has happened."

The theft has put area churches on alert.

"We want to be open to somebody at all times. Now, it has to be when someone
is here, or that we know someone is coming so we can open it for them,"
Henrichsen said.

Omaha police spokeswoman Sgt. Teresa Negron said it's too early to comment
on the reported theft at All Saints and whether it's connected with the
other incidents. Investigators are said to be looking into all four cases.

http://www.ketv.com/