Burglars strike RMS Fine Art Gallery

Thieves broke through the front window of RMS Art Gallery in the 11800 block of Wurzbach Road with an ax. Within seconds, they stole two original Salvador Dali compositions worth a total of about $50,000.
The incident was all too familiar for RMS Art Gallery and other tenants at The Elms Shopping Center, at Wurzbach Road and Lockhill-Selma. As first reported on Sept. 15 and 16, burglars broke into five stores and shattered an RMS Art Gallery window.

"They broke a window but couldn't come in," said an RMS Fine Art Gallery partner, "we think the alarm scared them away." The burglars set off RMS Fine Art Gallery's alarm on October 28 at 8:32 a.m., and then ADT contacted San Antonio Police Department at 8:35 a.m. SAPD arrived on the scene to find no suspects.

"The owner stated that they are large and heavy paintings," wrote SAPD Officer M. Ramos in his report, "so the owner believes there may have been two suspects."

District 8 City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian, whose district encompasses The Elms Shopping Center, asked SAPD Chief William McManus to investigate safety at the center after the mid-September incidents, and then met with the chief on Monday to discuss the issue. "I do believe that this is an area being targeted for criminal activity," Cibrian said. "It's a great concern to me."

After Cibrian's inquiry, SAPD SAFFE Officer Steve Beilstein said officers will be conducting "patrol-bys" at the center as frequently as possible. Cibrian said she is somewhat worried that another incident occurred after the patrol-bys began.

"That absolutely is concerning to me," Cibrian said, "and I want to make sure that this kind of activity is stopped. SAPD is going to continue to work with the neighborhood and the business owners to address the situation."

The RMS Fine Art Gallery partner said. "This is very important international news."

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Stolen Dali Works Are Recovered Intact

San Antonio, TX - November 14, 2007 -

On November 9, 2007, the San Antonio Police Department recovered two works by Spanish master Salvador Dali, stolen the 28th of October from RMS Fine Art Gallery in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The pieces were returned to the gallery by the authorities following a thorough and complete investigation led by special agents of the Police Department.

Thankfully, the two works, a signed and dedicated pencil sketch titled "Man's Face" (Dali's profile), and an etching titled "Sacrament of the Last Supper", hand signed by the artist, were returned in perfect condition. Neither piece was removed from the frame or shows any signs of damage.

"The authorities did a great job returning the stolen items by this world renowned surrealist master in a record time." Mr. Gonzalez stated. "You hate to see masterpieces like this destroyed or harmed in any way. I was delighted to have them recovered thanks to the good work of San Antonio Police Department."

According to the RMS partners, the pieces will be up for auction on eBay, complete with the story and all proper documentation.
Dali, the Spanish Surrealist and, along with Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, one of Spain's greatest painters of the 20th century, was also known for his showmanship and flamboyant handlebar moustache. He died in 1989 at age 84.