Two charged after raiding London gallery for Banksy artwork

A painting by the British street artist Banksy was stolen from the Grove Gallery in London, with the theft reportedly happening around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The work, titled "Girl with Balloon," could be worth an estimated $355,000.

Two men, 47-year-old Larry Fraser and 53-year-old James Love are alleged to have stolen the painting in a smash-and-grab raid on the gallery. London's Metropolitan Police launched a quick investigation after the burglary. The "Flying Squad," which combats serious and organized crime, helped to place the men into custody on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The artwork has been recovered and returned to the gallery. It's part of an exhibit, in which other Banksy works are being featured, called "Breakout: Banksy's London Rebellion."

Banksy most recently made headlines for his mural at the London Zoo, showing animals escaping from the gates. That mural was part of a larger series around the city featuring animals, including a howling wolf on a satellite dish. That piece was stolen hours after Banksy confirmed it as his work.

A representative for Banksy said he was not connected to the theft. But he was behind a moment from an auction in 2018, which saw a painting by the artist shredded just moments after it sold for $1.4 million. That destroyed version of the "Girl with Balloon" painting actually went up in value, selling for $25 million in 2021.

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