Some of the stolen artwork found in the home of two people accused in last weekend's high-end watch heist at a Rush Street jewelry store could be worth millions, police say.
At least two pieces are believed to be original artwork by famed Italian modernist painter Amedeo Modigliani and could be valued at up to $1 million each, detectives said.
"Some items are autographed, and there are watermarks stamped onto pieces, which authenticates them," said Chicago Police Sgt. Lawrence Coleman. "We've talked to FBI, special agents have been over here that does the analysis of artwork."
The paintings are part of a treasure trove of loot found in a home in the 3400 block of North Rutherford, the home of two of the four people charged in an alleged Eastern European burglary ring busted by police this weekend.
Officials did not find the stolen watches in the North Rutherford home, but they did stumble across many more items they believe were stolen. Now, they are trying to find those goods' owners.
Among those goods were 29 framed paintings, 18 candle holders, five complete sets of antique china, nearly 60 men's designer suits, a large box of bootleg DVDs, musical instruments, flatscreen televisions and several framed prints of Pope John Paul II.
Artist Susan Wolkoff stopped by the 18th District Police Station Saturday where she says she discovered seven pieces of her original artwork that had gone missing from a suburban restaurant months ago.
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"I was thinking, 'Why would they want to take my art?' but they did," she said. "This is a happy story for us. I'm happy to have them back."
Police say they are working with FBI officials and the Art Institute of Chicago to identify authentic artwork.
Four people were arrested and charged this week after police say they stole more than $400,000 worth of merchandise from a display cabinet at B. Young & Company before fleeing in a minivan. Exclusive video obtained by NBC 5 shows a man prying open the case and another man grabbing seven watches.
Police say the items they found in the suspects' home were stolen from both businesses and residential homes. Some retailers, including Armani and Neiman Marcus on the Magnificent Mile, have already identified items stolen from their stores.
Chicago police are encouraging victims of burglaries in the Near North Side 18th district to visit the station at 1160 N. Larrabee this week to claim any stolen items. You must bring proof of purchase.
The items will be on display Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Anna Straus, 35, of the 3400 block of North Rutherford; Glowacka Xagniezska, 36, of the 3400 block of North Rutherford; Damian Duitlow, 41, of the 4200 block of West Wrightwood; and Ian Kowolski, 50, of an unknown home address, were identified as suspects in Saturday's burglary at B. Young & Company. The group was charged with one felony count each of burglary and theft of items valued between $100,000 and $500,000.
The suspects' defense attorney says his clients, some of whom have been deported multiple times, identify themselves as Roma, an ethnic group whose members are concentrated in eastern Europe.
The group was nabbed with help from a special Illinois State Police unit investigating Roma-associated crimes called the Ruse Burglary Task Force. Police say the group is part of an Eastern European burglary ring.
"It appears that this crew was active here in Chicago and across the Midwest, and may have also been involved in other major thefts and burglaries across the country," police Cmdr. Eugene Roy said.
