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Gallery of Stolen Art Found in Picasso Suspect's Home

Cops say NJ man went on art theft spree last month

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2011 4:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – The New Jersey man arrested for stealing a Picasso from a San Francisco gallery last month was apparently trying to add to his personal collection of stolen art, police say. Authorities raided Mark Lugo's home in Hoboken and found 11 stolen artworks—including another Picasso drawing—worth a total of some $500,000, the Bay Citizen reports.

"The Picasso was hanging on his wall," a police spokesman says. "The others were displayed all over his apartment. He had a nice little gallery going on." The works were all stolen from New York City galleries and hotels last month. Lugo, who has worked as a sommelier, has also been charged with stealing $6,000 worth of wine from a New Jersey wine store in April, AP reports.

Mark Lugo, 30, may have psychological issues, his lawyer says. (AP Photo/San Francisco Police Department, handout)

Mark Lugo makes off with a Picasso in this video frame grab from a security camera. (AP Photo/Lefty O'Doul's)

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Gallery of Stolen Art Found in Picasso Suspect's Home

Cops say NJ man went on art theft spree last month

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