Dennis RomeroIt wouldn't have been the first time someone tried to chisel a valuable Banksy piece from a wall.
See also: Banksy Mural Ripped From L.A. Gas Station Could Be Worth $300K
But in the case of Christopher Sensabaugh, a 30-year-old from Los Angeles, the alleged take-down amounted to “attempted theft and criminal damage to property,” according to a New Orleans police statement sent to the Weekly.
Here's the deal:
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Cops in New Orleans say Sensabaugh tried to pry a piece painted by the famous U.K. street artist from a wall there last month. Now they're looking for him, and he might be here in L.A.
The department states:
The wanted subject was identified as the person who attempted to steal a Banksy work from 1034 N. Rampart, by drilling the mural out of the wall. Prior work from Banksy has been valued at and sold at auction from $200,000.00 to $1.1 million dollars.
The attempt happened Feb. 21, New Orleans police say. Associated Press this week published a photo of the Banksy piece in question.
Sensabaugh is 6 feet, 2 inches, 215 pounds, according to the department.
Credit: Sensabaugh via New Orleans police
We spoke to a detective at the LAPD Art Theft Detail, who said, “I haven't had contact with anybody involved and haven't received a request from New Orleans police to get involved.”
He said the matter might have gone to the LAPD's fugitive section, however. We reached out to those folks but we were unable to get through to anyone.
If you know where Sensabaugh is, we're sure the New Orleans department would love to hear from you: 504-821-2222.
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