New Brunswick

Moncton's Assumption Gallery has 2 paintings stolen

Two small paintings were stolen from a Moncton art gallery earlier this month during a lunch-hour heist and the exhibit's organizers are now hoping the pieces can be tracked down with help from the police and public.

Julie Arsenault of Gin and Julz Fine Art says she hopes the 2 paintings can be found

These two paintings were stolen in broad daylight on Feb. 19 at Moncton's Assumption Gallery. (Gin and Julz Fine Art/Facebook)

Two small paintings were stolen from a Moncton art gallery earlier this month during a lunch-hour heist and the exhibit's organizers are now hoping the pieces can be tracked down with help from the police and public.

Julie Arsenault, of Gin and Julz Fine Art, said the two paintings, which are a part of a 14-piece collection, were stolen from the Assumption Gallery around noon on Feb. 19.

She said the thief was caught on surveillance and the two pieces had a security chip.

Arsenault said they initially waited on releasing details about the theft but eventually went public on the advice of the police

"We really didn't know what to do. We felt bad for of all for our friends at the Assumption Gallery, it is in no way their fault. They set up their gallery with top-notch security," she said.

"We felt violated," she added.

"We did consult with a few of our friends that are in the RCMP and they really suggested we come forward."

Arsenault said one painting was five inches by five inches and the other was 10 inches by 10 inches, which made them easy to conceal.

One of the paintings is of a Rubik's Cube and the other is of a Barbie.

Arsenault is asking anyone who sees the paintings for sale to contact Codiac RCMP.

This isn't the first time that Moncton's Assumption Gallery has been hit by an art thief.

In 2013, two photographs were stolen from the gallery in another daytime heist.