While ‘art theft at city hall’ may seem like a great plot for an adventure movie, Ian McIntosh isn’t in the mood for anything other than a happy ending.
A well-known Barrie photographer, McIntosh had a series of pictures on display at the Barrie City Hall Rotunda, which began Nov. 1 and was to showcase 33 pieces of his work.
A piece entitled B25 Bomber was one of the those on display, until McIntosh noticed it was missing when he went to secure another piece.
“I had been told by someone that a piece had fallen and I went in this past Tuesday to secure it better," he told BarrieToday. "That is when I noticed the bomber piece missing.
“I went to some staff at city hall and asked them to review their videos and see what they could see," McIntosh added.
While he has yet to see the video, he said it does show someone taking the $800 piece of art between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday, shortly before the night's city council meeting started.
“I have heard that the person was ranting back and forth in the rotunda, grabbed it and held it over their head like a trophy and left,” McIntosh told BarrieToday. “I was told to contact police and did just that, submitting a report this morning. It is my understanding that the person is likely known to police.”
McIntosh's B25 Bomber photo is 48-by-20 inches and is printed on brushed aluminum. It's a high-contrast, black-and-white image that required hours of editing.
The theft hadn’t bothered him too much, until he filed the police report and it really hit him hard.
“I was fine at first, a little upset, but thinking that things happen,” McIntosh said. “I don’t know why, but when I went to file the report, I got really upset and I guess it sunk in.
"I put a lot of heart and soul into that work, into all my work," he added. "It isn’t just a thing, it is a part of me.”
Police have released surveillance images and a description of the suspect.
The suspect being sought is described as a whote male, 35 to 40 years old, standing six feet tall with a medium build and short/buzzed hair. He was wearing a grey or blue hooded sweatshirt, green/olive coloured pants, black hat/beanie and dark coloured shoes or slippers.
Anyone with information on this theft is asked to contact Barrie police Const. Opara at 705-725-7025, ext. 2725, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or leave an anonymous tip online at www.p3tips.com.
McIntosh is hoping for a happy ending and the piece to be returned, no matter the condition it's in.
“I can’t imagine it will come back in good condition, if it does at all,” he said. “I just want it returned, that’s why I’m going to the news and to social media.
"I hope it is the same state it was when it was on the wall, but I don’t care how it looks, I just want it back.”
