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Picasso's 'Tete de Femme' Stolen From San Francisco Museum: Was Thief Caught on Video?

The drawing was stolen Wednesday and is valued at $200,000.

ByABC News
July 6, 2011, 3:00 PM

July 6, 2011— -- A missing pencil drawing wouldn't normally be a top priority to San Francisco authorities, unless that drawing was done by Pablo Picasso and was stolen in broad daylight.

The Picasso drawing was hanging in the Weinstein Gallery in San Francisco when witnesses say a man walked through the entrance, took the painting off the wall and left in a waiting cab.

The 1965 pencil drawing, "Tete de Femme," which translates as head of woman, is valued at $200,000.

The thief did not get away cleanly, though. San Francisco police are reviewing two surveillance videos they believe could show the suspect.

The first video came from a restaurant on the block, Lefty O'Douls, and shows a man matching police and witnesses' descriptions carrying a framed piece of art.

His most notable attribute was that he was wearing a dark jacket and loafers with no socks. According to police, the frame size appears to be the same dimensions as the stolen Picasso -- 10.5 by 8.5 inches.

Today, police tracked down and impounded the get-away cab as evidence. They interviewed the driver, who gave them more information about the suspect, though they would not specify the information he provided or if it produced any leads.

"All of the cabs have video surveillance, so we're pulling the video to see what was captured," said Albie Esparza, an information officer for the San Francisco Police Department.

Esparza told ABC News that police will attempt to enhance any images from the two videos to show to witnesses at the gallery and to solicit the public's assistance.

Gallery president Rowland Weinstein told ABC's KGO-TV that he is going to work harder on securing the exhibits.

"I feel sorry because it really, truly is my goal, and always has been my goal, to be able to bring exactly what you see in this gallery, original works by Picasso, Moreau [and] Chagall, onto the street level," said Weinstein. "I want it to be available to the public."

Esparza believed it would be hard for the thief to do much with the stolen art.

"It's very unique, obviously, so any art dealer or anyone who knows art will know what it is," Esparza said. "It will be challenging for anyone to sell it. It won't be something you see turned in to a pawn shop. We're hoping someone in the public can spot the piece."

Police have already received tips because of the high profile of the case. They are urging anyone with information to call their hotline number -- 415-575-4444.