David Brettland Urbasch

The Pierneef work stolen in 2006 from the SABC building is valued at R4million and has not been recoved. - See more at: http://www.insurancechat.co.za/tag/art-theft-registry/#sthash.f6QQL...

Thief burns stolen Pierneef

December 19 2006 at 12:00pm

A thief has burnt the R2,5-million Pierneef painting he stole from the SABC in Auckland Park, Beeld reported on Tuesday.

He became nervous and destroyed the artwork in a panic after unsuccessfully trying to find a buyer, David Brettland Urbasch, 43, told the police in a statement in which he admitted to stealing the oil painting.

Urbasch appeared in the Newlands regional court on Monday. He remains in custody. Sentencing was postponed until January 25.

There was no evidence indicating the work had not been destroyed, said the investigating officer Captain Henry Bendeman.

The rare, 2,75m x 1,8m painting was worth an estimated R3-million.

Urbasch was reportedly recognised from a newspaper photograph by Free State antiques dealer he allegedly swindled three years ago with a copy of a Pierneef painting touched up to look genuine. - Sapa http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/thief-burns-stolen-pierneef-...