Banksy stolen in Melbourne

Banksy stolen in Melbourne

The Art Series Hotel's newly acquired Banksy - No Ball Games - artwork has been stolen from The Blackman Hotel on St Kilda Street in Melbourne.

The Art Series Hotel Group made history last week by offering its guests the opportunity to steal the Banksy and after just five days of hanging, a very clever thief has stolen it.

Maura Tuohy checked into the hotel on Saturday night pretending to be from an Art Series Hotel agency. She claimed she worked with various members of the agency team and told hotel staff that she was asked to drive the painting to another hotel.

Highly suspicious staff asked for a number to phone in order to verify her story. Tuohy provided the number of her accomplice, Megan Aney, who verified the story. After a dozen more questions she then took the artwork out of the hotel, put it in her car, and returned 15 minutes later to brag about her cunning and guile.

The heist was a success and followed several failed attempts by other hotel guests including the hacking of three CCTV cameras focused on the Banksy, a listening device being placed underneath the desk at Reception and guests phoned Reception with housekeeping issues in an attempt to get them to step away from the painting. The campaign has received global attention and been extremely active in social media all around the world.

Will Deague Art Series CEO said: 'Congratulations to the cunning Maura – a very well orchestrated theft, by a fine art crook. We had no doubt in our minds that someone would mastermind a grand plan, so we always had a back-up plan. A second Banksy to put on our walls, and we challenge the next thief to get away with it. You've got until the 15th Jan to Steal Banksy."

Guests who still want to get a chance to steal a Banksy of their own have until the 15th January to come and stay the night and steal the art. The next Banksy on offer is the iconic Pulp Fiction (this will be the last artwork).
Visit www.stealbanksy.com.au for more information.