[MSN] CLEVELAND -- Police recovered eight of 33 pieces of artwork stolen from a Collinwood art gallery earlier this month.

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8 Of 33 Paintings Recovered In Gallery Theft

POSTED: 5:56 pm EST January 26, 2008
UPDATED: 10:35 am EST January 27, 2008

CLEVELAND -- Police recovered eight of 33 pieces of artwork stolen from a
Collinwood art gallery earlier this month.

Officers said that thanks to several tips, they tracked down a suspect and
found the eight pieces from the True Art Gallery in her possession.

The artworks were created by a group of Akron artists that uses
Renaissance-era painting methods.

Cleveland police spokesman Thomas Stacho said eight of the paintings and
photographs were found in a home near the gallery. A detective who posed as
a buyer went to the home last week, where he was shown the paintings.

Stacho said officers are expected to seek charges in the case against
57-year-old Melvin Hill.

They are still looking for the other paintings that were stolen Jan. 18.
They are worth $6,000.

"It's worth a lot of money and a lot of energy, time. These pieces were the
artists' life, and we're just hoping the rest is recovered, just for their
sake and peace of mind," said gallery co-owner Joanie Deveney.

A computer, stereo system and two cordless phones were also taken.

Anyone with information on the rest of the missing art should call
detectives at 216-623-2573.