Suspected Crooks Caught After Returning Stolen Painting By Local Louisiana Artist

Authorities in Louisiana say they have captured the second suspect wanted in connection with the theft of a “valuable” painting by a local artist.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office said 35-year-old Harley Brown of New Orleans, also known as Harley Phillips, was taken into custody on April 7 on charges of simple burglary and illegal possession of stolen things valued between $5,000 and $25,000.

On March 25, the sheriff’s office was alerted to a burglary that had taken place sometime in the prior week at a location on the 7200 block of North Peters Street in Arabi. Detectives learned a painting valued at $7,500 had been stolen.

The painting, titled “Dueling Oak New Orleans City Park,” “took a local artist more than a year to complete,” the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives also found the building had “recently” been defaced with graffiti in multiple areas, and determined it was connected to the burglary.

When the sheriff’s office released information about the stolen painting, it was returned to the location from which it was taken. Detectives reviewed surveillance video and identified two suspects: Brown and 27-year-old Michael Ostrager of New Orleans.

On April 1, the sheriff’s office announced that Ostrager was in custody in Orleans Parish and would be booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison on charges of simple burglary and illegal possession of stolen things valued between $5,000 and $25,000.