More on the Roerich Thefts

The New York Police Department has released images of the works stolen from the Nicholas Roerich Museum back in June.  As I posted yesterday, the works were taken from the museum, but were not immediately discovered.  The small museum has limited hours and a small staff.  Such a small museum is a good target for art thieves as it may not have sophisticated security systems, and limited visitors who may notice a theft.   

Libby Nelson for the New York Times' City Room blog notes:

The museum, at 318 West 107th Street, is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sundays. The paintings were stolen during visiting hours on June 24 and June 28, the police said.

“A lot of people come here, and during the open hours, somebody stole one painting,” [Daniel Entin, the museum director, said]. “And then, maybe a day, later stole another.”

He said he believed that the same person, a woman, was responsible for both thefts. 

 . . .  

The museum has had little in the way of conventional security since it opened in 1949. It relied on secure doors, windows and entryways to prevent break-ins, Mr. Entin said, and never had an art theft before.

“We had what was always considered a very secure place,” he said. “We were always more oriented toward prevention.”