Police late Monday recovered valuable blown glass sculptures taken in September when a trailer containing the art pieces was stolen in Richmond.
Mario Silva, 46, has been arrested in connection to the case. Alexis Silk, an artist who lives part time in Italy and Chicago, is ecstatic to be reunited with her work, police said.
"The artist had been in the area for an art show in Sausalito and had all of the artwork in a trailer that was parked in the street," said Joshua Clark, Richmond police detective.
Police said anonymous tips led to seven of the pieces found a few weeks ago dumped behind a dirt pile in a residential area. The other 10 pieces of art were found a day later.
Thieves tried hard to cover their tracks, according to police.
"We believe the suspects were trying trying to avoid us locating fingerprints or DNA and covered them in automotive oil," Clark said.
