Two men have been charged with stealing Banksy’s iconic print, “Girl With Balloon,” from a London gallery. The artwork, valued at over £270,000 (approximately $360,000), was taken from the Grove Gallery in a daring heist captured on CCTV footage.
The offenders, Larry Fraser, 47, and James Love, 53, were apprehended by the Metropolitan Police following the break-in on September 8. The video footage shows one of the intruders smashing the gallery’s glass door, grabbing the print, and making a hasty escape into the night.
Lindor Mehmetaj, the gallery’s manager, expressed shock and horror upon discovering the theft the next morning. He promptly reported the incident to the authorities, who launched an investigation. Fortunately, less than a week later, the police successfully recovered the print, which is now back at the gallery.
“Girl With Balloon” is one of Banksy’s most renowned works, featuring a girl reaching out towards a heart-shaped balloon. The stencil first appeared under London’s Waterloo Bridge in 2002, and its popularity has only grown over the years. In 2018, a version of the artwork sold at Sotheby’s for $1.4 million, with Banksy’s infamous shredder stunt increasing its value to a record-breaking $25.4 million in 2021.
Banksy’s street art is often targeted by thieves and vandals due to its public accessibility. Just last month, another Banksy piece depicting a wolf howling at the moon on a satellite dish was stolen shortly after its creation.
The two men charged with the theft of “Girl With Balloon” will appear in court on October 9. Meanwhile, the gallery is grateful for the swift recovery of the artwork and hopes that the incident will only serve to increase its value in the long run. The case serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards associated with owning and displaying valuable works of art.
