Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003 | 11:15 a.m.
A $395,000 Disney painting stolen last month from the Lassen Galerie in the Forum Shops at Caesars has been returned, Metro Police said.
A citizen contacted police after reading or hearing media reports about the stolen artwork. police said. Two original Disney paintings and six prints were stolen from the gallery Sept. 15 and police publicized the thefts Monday.
The citizen had bought Christian Riese Lassen's "Seaside Romance" painting, depicting Mickey and Minnie Mouse on a beach, without knowing the painting was stolen, police said.
The gallery director, Paul Olson, said he "became very emotional" when he went to identify the painting at the citizen's the multimillion-dollar home.
He said the painting will probably be reframed and sent to Lassen's museum in Hawaii rather than put back on display at the Forum Shops gallery.
Police are seeking for James Villamor, 47, for questioning in connection with the thefts. Still missing is another Disney painting, "Sorcerer of the Seas," also worth $395,000, and six prints worth between $3,000 and $10,000 each.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro's property crimes unit at 229-3573 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
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