PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the safe return of two paintings that were stolen from a gallery within Methuselah Bar and Lounge earlier this month.
The oil paintings by Pittsfield-based artist Edward Pelkey were taken from the Tartell Gallery in the rear of the restaurant on Jan. 8 around 4:30 p.m., according to video surveillance.
The footage shows a man entering through an abutting, vacant storefront that shares a bathroom with the bar and gallery, turning on the lights, taking the artwork, and turning off the lights before exiting.
Due to the image quality, details of the man's features cannot be made out but the video has been shared on Facebook in hopes of someone recognizing him.
"We're just eager to get the artwork back if possible," owner Yuki Cohen said.
The Pittsfield Police Department has turned the investigation over to its detective unit for a more in-depth analysis of the video and a search for other footage.
Cohen noted that the person had keys to enter from the neighboring space and seemed familiar with the gallery, as the whole incident took less than a couple of minutes.
Methuselah is closed on Sundays.
While all parties hope to track down the person who did this, the main goal is to get Pelkey's artwork back.
"The New Gunfighter in Town" features a man in a red shirt shooting through saloon doors and is 30 by 24 inches. "The Cubist Bounty Hunter" shows a figure in Mandalorian style armor shooting a gun with vibrantly colored action lines around it and is 18 by 14 inches. Both are oil on canvas.
The abutting storefront at 393 North St. has formerly housed Shire Glass and Omega 1 African Fashion.
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Marlboro Edges Post 68 Juniors at State Tourney
iBerkshires.com Sports
MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. – Brady Bouldry struck out nine and allowed three hits Saturday to lead the Middleboro Post 64 Juniors to a 2-0 win over Pittsfield Post 68 at the American Legion State Tournament.
Bouldry went the distance on the mound, walking two, to earn the tournament hosts a date with Swampscott Post 57 on Sunday night in the winners’ bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
Gavin O’Donnell tripled, and Ethan O’Donnell and Jason Codey each had a hit for Pittsfield.
The O’Donnell brothers also split time on the mound, striking out eight, walking two and allowing one earned run.
Post 68 plays Sandwich Post 188 on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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