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A $10,000 sculpture has been stolen from an upmarket Parnell art gallery in what the owner describes as a "brazen" daylight robbery.
It is the second time within a month that Sanderson Contemporary Art has been targeted.
Owner Kylie Sanderson said yesterday the 10kg stainless steel sculpture, by Auckland artist Ray Haydon, was stolen on Tuesday.
"Somebody just walked in quite brazenly and took it off the desk and ran away with it," she said.
The sculpture is 43cm wide, 23cm long and 14cm high.
Ms Sanderson said the store had security cameras but they weren't working. "It was our staff Christmas function that day. We'd been on Waiheke Island and we'd left the shop with somebody who had worked part-time for us before. She was by herself and I guess she popped out the back for a moment."
Ms Sanderson said she didn't know why the sculpture, which was located near the door, was stolen.
"It was a real labour of love for the artist. He's very annoyed. It's really disappointing when somebody pours so much into it and then someone just walks in and in a few moments just steals it."
She said a small reward would be offered for its recovery.
A couple of weeks ago the front window of the gallery was smashed and a lap-top stolen from the counter.
