Police: Portland chef swiped $12K painting from gallery

From Fox 12 Oregon: Police: Portland chef swiped $12K painting from gallery
PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -

Police say a Portland chef is responsible for stealing a $12,000 piece of art from a gallery.

Gabriel Gabreski took the Christof Heuppi painting from an Oct. 7 private art show on Southeast 34th Avenue, officers say.

So far, officers haven't been able to locate that painting, an acrylic canvas measuring about four feet by three feet.

Art gallery owner Meg Hanson said she felt anger and frustration after the piece was stolen from her gallery.

"I'm upset. I'm angry. I feel violated. All of those things at once, but mostly it's a big loss," Hanson said.

Witnesses told Hanson they saw Gabreski walk in and grab the painting off the wall before walking out.

According to Hanson, two people at the event stopped Gabreski as he walked out, asking him what he was doing.

They say Gabreski simply smiled and said the owner gave it to him.

"I'm also angry that someone would come uninvited to a private event and intentionally walk out with something of value," Hanson said.

Officers ended up going to Gabreski's home later that night looking for the painting,but couldn't find it.

Gabreski is a chef at A Cena Italian restaurant in Sellwood. Attempts to contact the owner of the restaurant were not successful.

FOX 12 tried to contact Gabreski at his home in southeast Portland but we were told he was out of town.

Portland police say they had enough witness statements and evidence to charge Gabreski with one count of theft.

Gabreski's next court date is set for Oct. 21.