Feb 6, 2008 9:15 pm US/Central
Man Arrested In Dallas For Stealing Picasso Sketch
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A California man is under arrest in Dallas, accused of stealing a sketch drawn by Pablo Picasso. The drawing is valued at $200,000.
Michael Schofield is a recognized artist known for his paintings of landscapes. However, Schofield is now being held in a Dallas jail for his involvement in someone else's artwork.
"The Orange County Sheriff's Department faxed a picture and a copy of the warrant, and patrol officers went out to the location just to see if he was there," said Dallas Police Sr. Cpl. Kevin Janse.
Schofield had been working and living in a northwest Dallas art gallery and warehouse. That's where police arrested the 60-year-old artist.
"At that point, he realized his days on the lam were over," said Janse.
It all started in Orange County. Police there say Schofield convinced an art collector to give him the Picasso so he could sell it. Detectives say Schofield then used the sketch as collateral to borrow $40,000 from a friend.
Months later, Schoefield returned and allegedly stole the Picasso from the very friend who lent him the money. The artist then fled to Dallas.
"The arresting officer said Schofield actually smiled and grinned," said Janse. "He knew his time was up, and he knew it was time to go back to California."
Schofield remains in a Dallas jail, but is expected to return to southern California. The stolen Picasso sketch is back with its original owner in Orange County.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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