Isabella Stewart Gardner art heist happened 34 years agoFBI still receiving tips

BOSTON -- Thirty-four years ago two thieves robbed the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museummaking off with hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen artwork. The heist has been the subject of mystery and documentaries ever since. 

"I have been here for a long time looking for theseand I'd be lying if I said it doesn't affect me. I walk by the empty frames every day," said Anthony AmoreDirector of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 

In 1990two men snuck into the museum disguised as police officers answering a distress call. The duo tied up to two guards and were in the museum for 81 minutes. They made off with numerous pieces of art including 13 works from famous painters like Rembrandt. The art is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. 

"I believe that information is going to come inor I am going to get the stuff firstbut one way or another we will get the art back," said Amore. 

Over the past yearthe museum and the FBI have received hundreds of tips and emails. Amore says most are theories or conjecturebut a few are an occasional tip. He says 20 of those calls came from people who thought they spotted the works of art on the wall during house showings or on pictures from Zillow. They were just reproductions used to stage the homes for sale. 

"There is a lot of these things out thereand when we do see things from Zillowor any other real estate websitewe don't look at it and say'That is our painting.' Neverthelesswe follow it," said Amore. "I am amazed that people notice because Zillow has millions of listingsand people go through and go'That's that missing Gardner painting." 

Several key players from the heist have passed away including security guard Richard Abath. He died in February. Amore says art theft has a high rate of recoverybut typically that comes generations later when people have diedand informants feel safer about coming forward. 

"Remember we have a $10 million rewardand this is for information leading to the paintingsnot the paintings," said Amore. "History has shown that a painting is local. When it is stolen in Americait stays in America. It's usually recovered relatively close to where it's stolen. I like to think of it as a haystackand we are looking for these 13 needlesand taking pieces of the haystack awayso ultimately we will get to those 13 at the bottom." 

If you have any tips or information you are urged to contact Amore by email at [email protected].