Los Angeles, September 24: In a bold heist that shocked the art world, a rare Japanese bronze Buddha statue, valued at $1.5 million (approximately Rs 12.5 crore), was stolen from the Barakat Gallery in Los Angeles. The audacious theft took place in the early hours of September 18 at the Beverly Grove-based gallery, lasting less than 25 minutes, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Notably, the daring heist was also caught on CCTV, reported New York Post. The surveillance footage shows the suspect allegedly breaking into the entrance through a driveway gate and using a dolly to move the statue onto a truck. The entire robbery lasted about 25 minutes. Authorities were shocked that a lone thief managed to steal the statue despite its weight. Rat Menace in US Home: 6-Month-Old Baby Suffers 50 Bites To Face and Head After Being Bitten by Rats in Indiana, Nearly Dies; Parents and Aunt Arrested.

The rare artifact is a seated Buddha with a halo, roughly 4 feet tall, created during Japan's Edo Period (1603-1867). It was believed to have been commissioned for the centerpiece of a temple.

Fayez Barakat, the gallery owner said “I prize it so much,” Barakat told the news channel. “I had it in the backyard of my home and when I moved into this gallery, I put it in the backyard of the gallery for everybody to admire and enjoy.” US Shocker: Teen Mother Tries to Hire Contract Killer to Murder Her Three-Year-Old Son in Miami, Arrested.

The Budhha statue dates back to 1603-1867, Barakat said, adding that it is believed to have been commissioned as the centerpiece of a temple. The one-of-a-kind artifact had come to his possession more than 55 years ago.

”I don’t think there’s another like it on the market anywhere. It’s four feet tall, it’s hollow cast bronze and it’s a stunning piece. It’s really aesthetically arresting and it’s shocking to see something like this go missing,” said Paul Henderson, the gallery’s director, emphasizing the uniqueness of the stolen piece and the challenges the thief might face trying to sell it.

Police are investigating the case and canvassing the area for additional security camera footage. The Barakat Gallery, with its international presence in London, Seoul, and Hong Kong, opened its Los Angeles location in 2017, making this incident a significant blow to the art community.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2023 06:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).