Police search for stolen art valued $25,000

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - The hunt is on for a blown glass piece from the Dale Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg, valued at $25,000.

Police believe it was stolen around closing time on Sunday and are looking through hours of surveillance footage to find any clues.

The piece is 8" by 6" by 6" and is bronze and purple.

Its pedestal is now empty and damaged, where the piece used to be attached.

"It would capture the imagination of a high-end crook, in my estimation," said Rick Shawn of the St. Petersburg Police Department. "Someone wanted that piece, maybe to sell it to a private collector."

"Chihuly is such a well-known name in the art world, his work resonates with a lot of people," said gallery director Andy Schlauch. "I am sure there are a lot of other sad people hearing this tonight."

Police say they are without any solid leads.

The Dale Chihuly Collection in St. Pete is worth more than $5 million, while he has countless pieces housed in hundreds of museums all over the world.

This is the first time art has been stolen from the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg.