Thomas Crane Public Library security officer helps nab painting thief
QUINCY, Mass. May 28 2017– A man has been arrested after police say he stole a painting of David Ortiz from the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy.
Police were alerted on May 20 that a painting of Red Sox legend David Ortiz had been stolen. A security officer searched through days of surveillance video until he found a 10 second clip of the theft. The security guard recognized the individual, a 37-year-old homeless man named Dana Bognar, when he walked into the library.
The local artist behind the portrait didn’t think the thief would ever be caught.
“I thought I’d never see it again,” said Edwina Caci.
Caci is known for her portraits and up until this week, she thought this painting of Big Papi was gone forever.
“I’ve had paintings stolen before. It’s cheaper to have one stolen than pay the money for the insurance,” said Caci.
Bognar was arrested and charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Bognar told Quincy police that another man, 48-year-old James Perkins, paid him $20 to steal the painting.
Police are still searching for Perkins, while the painting has been recovered.
