Art thief snatches $5k artwork from Fremantle pub
Police are investigating what appears to be the brazen theft of a $5000 work of art from the walls of a Fremantle pub.
The pub's CCTV has captured the moment a man carrying a young girl on his shoulders appears to steal the painting and walk out with it in his hand.
The artwork, by award-winning local artist Peter Barker, was removed from The National Hotel's staircase gallery and was one of only a handful of 25 or 30 paintings on display that were not affixed to the wall with security hooks that would make it impossible to steal.
“He had one attempt at it and then let some other patrons past and then had another go,” said National Hotel manager Harry Hall.
“It is not really a very good example you want to be setting for a young person.
“That’s the thing that is so shocking and smacks you in the face the most. That child looks about six or seven and what kind of example is that?”
The pub is owned by Carnegies International Group, with CEO Karl Bullers describing the alleged theft as “disrespectful”.
"I'm angry that people would be so disrespectful," Bullers told 7NEWS.com.au.
"The art is there for people to enjoy in a unique setting and these people have just been very opportunistic and taken advantage of that.
"I'm kind of shocked that it was done so brazenly in front of children.
"What sort of example are they setting for these kids, that it's okay to do this?"
Sheridan Randall, 1st October 2019
