Thieves steal valuable paintings

One of the paintings stolen from Parnell today.

Two paintings, together worth $22,500, were stolen from a central Auckland art gallery this morning, police said.

Thieves smashed a window to get into the International Art Centre in the suburb of Parnell and made off with the paintings.

The 59cm by 90cm painting Cobb and Co Coach, Mt Cook, by Peter Beadle, is worth $18,000, an Auckland City police spokeswoman said in a statement.

The other, Natura Morta, by Paolo Canetti and is worth $4500.

- NZPA