After the closing of the Art Institute last evening, thieves broke into the Art Institute of Chicago and went on a rampage stealing three paintings valued at a little more than $1.5 million dollars, as well as the special exhibit's most unusual piece - a golden box on loan from Mr. Edward Blake. The looted paintings included Gauguin's Tahitian Landscape, Van Gogh's Fortification of Paris with Houses and Picasso's Poverty.
It's not known how the robbers infiltrated the museum but somehow they managed to tamper with the CCTV security alarms and evade the guard patrols. The alarms were triggered at 9:03 PM just after the close of the museum. Museum guards rushed to the location of the trigger but found nothing. Chicago police arrived on the scene shortly as well, and a thorough search of the museum was undertaken. This led to the discovery of the missing objects, as well as one unconscious suspect in a ski mask. The suspect has been taken into custody for questioning.
Investigators believed that the theft was the work of a professional team who obviously planned the robbery thoroughly before carrying it out. A police spokesman stated that investigators have launched a major inquiry to piece together what happened, and to recover the missing pieces. The heist has shocked the art world and has sparked a worldwide hunt for the priceless art treasures.