Thief makes off with rare Rodin

A BURGLAR who broke into a Mayfair flat struck gold - or at least bronze - when he stumbled across a rare museum cast of a highly collectable statue.

Having apparently left few clues at the scene, the South Audley Street burglar made off with a Bang & Olufsen stereo and a pair of Sony speakers.

But, more importantly, he also bagged a rare and important piece by French sculptor Rodin that is believed to be worth in excess of 100,000.

A close friend of the statue's French owner, whom the Evening Standard has agreed not to name, told of the break-in at the third- storey flat at the prestigious Mayfair address.

A series of advertisments, featuring a photograph of the 75cm high bronze, have been booked to encourage witnesses or antique dealers who are offered the work to come forward.

The statue, pictured, called Eve With Flat Feet, has the sculptor's name engraved on its base.

The owner was left the family heirloom by her grandmother and had brought the bronze to sell in London after finding out its possible value between 50,000 and 100,000 just months before the theft.

It was being looked after by friends who were away when the burglar struck.

The theft of the Rodin was not discovered until days later.

The family friend told the Standard: "The

cleaning lady called me on the Tuesday and said she couldn't get the keys in the lock. I knew something was wrong and rushed over there straight away.

"I tried to open the door but it was stuck. When we went in I went into the lounge and saw straight away that the statue had gone. It wasn't in its usual position on a long table in the room."

She said the burglar appeared to have cut the bottom panel from the front door of the flat to

get in during the theft a month ago but had replaced it so that the damage was undetectable from the outside.

She added: "Somebody gave her grandmother the statue years ago. My friend didn't even know it was a Rodin when she was first given it.

"She brought it over here because of the strong market she thought she would get a better price for it here.

"Now it's gone. It's a complete nightmare because it wasn't even insured.

It really was a beautiful piece. We don't know who these people are. They might be dangerous."

Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that the statue was stolen to order.

Police are now examining possible links with other burglaries in the area and the Scotland Yard specialist art and antiques squad has been alerted to the theft.

The owner is offering a 50,000 reward for information that leads to the return of the statue.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Pc Sarah Whitman at West End Central on 020 7321 8894.

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