-- Paula David - Fourth Estate Cooperative Reporter

New York, NY, United States (4E) - Shortly after Salvador Dali's painting was stolen from a gallery in Manhattan last week, the unidentified thief returned the prized artwork Friday via the mail.

Dali's 11 x 14 watercolor and ink painting, "Cartel de Don Juan Tenorio," was stolen last June 19 by a man who calmly lifted the painting off the wall of the new gallery Venus Over Manhattan at 980 Madison Avenue.

Surveillance images revealed that the culprit was a man who wore a checkered shirt and carried a shopping bag, and managed to do the deed even when a security guard was close by.

Before further investigation on the stolen work, valued at $150,000, has been carried out, the painting was returned via Express Mail from Europe on Friday, accompanied by an anonymous e-mail to the gallery which said, "Cartel on its way back to you already," and bearing a tracking number from the mailing service. The police retrieved the package, which was in very good condition, at the Kennedy International Airport Friday.

Donna Harris, representative from the airport's inspection service said that it is hard to sell stolen paintings "because they're hot."

Painting owner Adam Lindermann, despite the retrieval, has stated that the artwork's authenticity has yet to be verified.

Bookmarking & Link Destinations

Get DinerTown's biggest wedding back on track! Search through a dazzling trip down memory lane.

More Weird News From 2012-07-01 The day's stories from around the world. Stolen Salvador Dali painting returned thru mail « Current Weird News Stories

Watch one of our weird and wacky online videos. LovelyBySurprise Film5 paris dance-a-thon part deux ... new videos »   ... top watched »   ... editor's picks »