NEW BUFFALO, Mich. (WNDU) – Some pretty bold and brash art thieves are on the loose in New Buffalo.

They pilfered an oil painting, committing a crime that can best be described as “off the wall.”

It happened last Saturday, Aug. 17, at about 8:25 p.m., at the famous burger joint called Redamak’s.

It’s curious to note the finger is being pointed at “five guys” who were captured on surveillance cameras entering Redamak’s last Saturday.

“Basically, behind me, over my left shoulder is where the painting was,” Redamak’s Chuck Maroney told WNDU 16 News Now.

Thanks to surveillance, the Maroney family can see it, but still can’t believe it.

While leaving, one of the five guys reaches up and takes an oil painting off the wall, as young children watch from the next booth.

“Grabbed the painting and proceeded to walk out through the dining room and out the exit doors,” Maroney explained. “Actually, the kids that were seated behind them said, ‘That gentleman took the painting off the wall,’ told the server.”

Staff tried but failed to catch up to the culprit in the parking lot, although surveillance showed them leaving, painting in hand, in a four-door Chevy pickup truck with blacked out rims.

“As a family member and owner of the restaurant, it hurts,” Maroney said. “Very upsetting because it is a sentimental piece.”

Maroney says the stolen painting showed the building façade as it looked in the mid-1970s before several building additions.

“It’s priceless. I was asked what, if I put a value on it, well obviously, over $1,000, but it’s more about the nostalgia, what would the word be? Sentimental value,” Maroney said.

The surveillance photos have been getting a lot of attention on the restaurant’s Facebook page, and for good reason:

Redamak’s is also working with its security company to get a read on the license number of the getaway truck.

Copyright 2024 WNDU. All rights reserved.