[MSN] A hired hand at a South Loop art gallery who allegedly stole 10 paintings from his employer is refusing to tell authorities where the artwork is, and detectives are looking for help finding them.

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Cops turn to public to help find stolen art 

June 29, 2006

BY ANNIE SWEENEY Crime Reporter  
 

A hired hand at a South Loop art gallery who allegedly stole 10 paintings
from his employer is refusing to tell authorities where the artwork is, and
detectives are looking for help finding them.

Chicago Police released photos of five of the stolen paintings in hopes that
someone sees the paintings hanging somewhere.

The artist, whose work was recently featured in the Chicago-based movie "The
Break-Up," said she had hoped the arrest of her assistant would lead police
to the paintings, which are worth a total of $35,000.

"Five of the pieces had been sold," said Francine Turk, of Francine Turk
Gallery. "It's very aggravating for me and my clients. I have to double back
and re-create pieces for clients. With the movie, I have been swamped
anyway. I was hopeful at first."

Michael Gutweiler, a Columbia College student hired by Turk to help her
handle an onslaught of orders for her work after it was featured in the
Jennifer Aniston-Vince Vaughn movie, was charged with felony burglary for
the June 13 heist, police said. Gutweiler, 23, and another person allegedly
entered the gallery at 18 E. Cullerton dressed in black with ski masks and
took the paintings.

Neither the accomplice nor a driver working with the pair has been arrested,
police said. And Gutweiler has not provided any information to police about
the paintings, police said.

"We hope that somebody may see them hanging up somewhere and they contact
the police,'' Harrison Area Cmdr. Steve Peterson said.

asweeney at suntimes.com