Canoga Park

Man Arrested in Connection With $250,000 Art Theft

Police found a stolen trailer that originally contained $250,000 of art, including work by Matisse, in a man's backyard, officers said.

A Canoga Park man was arrested on suspicion of stealing a trailer containing about $250,000 worth of art including a Matisse piece, police said Tuesday.

Robert Michael Slayton, 33, was booked on suspicion of grand theft following his arrest on Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was released on $70,000 bail.

Officers found the stolen trailer in Slayton's backyard in the 7700 block of Farralone Avenue, and also recovered about $120,000 worth of the art that had been stolen, police said.

The 24-foot trailer and the art had been stolen on Nov. 20 from an industrial park near Nordhoff Street and Alabama Avenue in Chatsworth, police said.

The trailer contained paintings, sculptures and prints by Miro, Haring, Neiman, Chagall and Matisse.

Slayton is scheduled to appear in court in Van Nuys on July 11, the sheriff's department reported.

Investigators urged anyone who has been offered art for sale by Slayton -- or who has information about the crime -- to call the LAPD's Art Theft Detail at (213) 486-6940.

Copyright City News Service
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