Detail from The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt van Rijn (1663) among the works stolen in 1990 from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
BOSTON (AP) – The FBI believes it knows the identities of the thieves who stole art valued at up to $500 million from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990.
Richard DesLauriers, the FBI's special agent in charge in Boston, says the thieves belong to a criminal organization based in New England and the mid-Atlantic states. He says authorities believe the art was taken to Connecticut and the Philadelphia region in the years after the theft, and offered for sale in Philadelphia about a decade ago.
"Some describe the theft as one of the most significant art heist in American history. We agree," said DesLauriers.
The FBI discussed the case Monday. It has a new website aimed at getting help cracking the case at www.FBI.gov/gardner . In a video, DesLauriers says the statute of limitations has passed for the crime of art theft and authorities are focused on recovering the art.
"It's likely over the years that someone, a friend, neighbor or relative, has seen the art hanging on a wall, placed above a mantle or stored in an attic. We want that person to call us," DesLauriers said at a news conference Monday in Boston.
There's a $5 million reward in the case involving 13 stolen works, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas and Manet.
It's likely there can be no prosecution of those who took the art.
"The statute of limitations has run on those … on charges for example of the actual taking of the paintings at that time, but there's potential criminal liability for anyone who's in possession," said Carmen Ortiz, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
