Da Vinci thieves on CCTV

Suspect: an e-fit of one of the thieves
13 April 2012

Police investigating the theft of a Leonardo da Vinci painting from a Scottish castle today released an e-fit and CCTV footage of the suspects.

The work, Madonna with the Yarnwinder, was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, on Wednesday by two men posing as visitors.

The images released today include an e-fit of a man who bought the thieves'
getaway car from the registered owner about two weeks ago.

Police were conducting forensic tests on the car, a Volkswagen Golf GTi, which was found abandoned in woodland east of the castle on Wednesday evening.

There are also images of the thieves captured on the CCTV system inside the ancestral home in which the pair appear camera shy.

Another image shows the thieves making their escape, speeding away down the
Castle's drive with two accomplices in the car.

A police spokeswoman said: "The images taken from the Drumlanrig Castle CCTV system show the men involved in the theft of the painting.

"They can be seen making efforts to conceal their facial features."

The work was stolen in its frame after the two men overpowered a female guide in her early 20s.

Police have been focusing inquiries on a possible second vehicle which the thieves may have used after dumping the Volkswagen.

Drumlanrig Castle, which lies 17 miles north of Dumfries, is the home of one of Britain's richest landowners, the Duke of Buccleuch and his family.

Detectives are working with a renowned art sleuth who led the search for the stolen Turner paintings in Germany and Lord Bath's missing work by Titian.

Fine art loss adjuster Mark Dalrymple, of Tyler & Co, said the Madonna with the Yarnwinder was the most important work stolen in the UK for decades.

Airports, ports and railways across the country have been made aware of the theft and given descriptions of the thieves.

And Interpol, with virtually every museum and auction house in the world, has been alerted, Mr Dalrymple said.

His firm, which is aiding Lloyd's Underwriters, is offering a reward of at least £100,000 for the recovery of the work.

The Earl of Dalkeith told a press briefing yesterday: "We all hope and pray that this treasure will be returned."

The Renaissance master's painting, dated at 1501, was bought in Italy in the 18th century by the third Duke of Buccleuch.

Descriptions of the two thieves were issued on Wednesday. The first was in his early 40s, 5ft 10in, clean shaven and of slim build. The other was in his late 40s, 5ft 10-11in, of slim build and clean shaven.

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