> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Crimes of the Art - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/crimes-of-the-art-56/ - Published: 2016-03-30T02:30:50.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T15:46:37.000Z - Description: On this week’s art crime blotter: a UFO museum's flying saucer sculpture was stolen and smashed, a Japanese dealer was arrested trying to unload a $1.1 million antiquity, and Cambridge University tried to cover up the theft of a model skull. - Author: Benjamin Sutton - Tags: News, Art Crime, Cambridge University, Crimes of the Art, Frank Auerbach, UFO, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:17 (2016, 2017, part 1) ![This flying saucer sculpture on the exterior of the International UFO Museum and Research Center was recently stolen and smashed. (photo by Tiffany LeMaistre/Flickr)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/crimes-art-ufo-museum-saucer-theft.jpg) This flying saucer sculpture on the exterior of the International UFO Museum and Research Center was recently stolen and smashed. (photo by Tiffany LeMaistre/Flickr) [*Crimes of the Art*](http://hyperallergic.com/tag/crimes-of-the-art/) *is a weekly survey of artless criminals’ cultural misdeeds. Crimes are rated on a highly subjective scale from one “Scream” emoji — the equivalent of a vandal tagging the exterior of a local history museum in a remote part of the US — to five “Scream” emojis — the equivalent of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist.* ## UFO Museum’s Flying Saucer Takes Flight, Crashes ![crimes-of-the-art-scream-1](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/02/crimes-of-the-art-scream-1.jpg) A sculpture of an alien spacecraft that long adorned the exterior of the [International UFO Museum and Research Center](http://www.roswellufomuseum.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in Roswell, New Mexico, was [stolen](http://www.abqjournal.com/744491/news/police-flying-saucer-stolen-in-roswell-really.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) and eventually [found](http://www.abqjournal.com/745092/news/roswell-officials-pieces-of-stolen-flying-saucer-found-in-ditch.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), smashed to pieces. The steel and fiberglass spacecraft had recently undergone repairs after it was damaged in a storm; it was being stored behind the museum in anticipation of a reinstallation on the façade. There are no suspects, and [security footage](https://youtu.be/GniuZYJaEMk?ref=hyperallergic.com) of the out-of-this-world heist has been released. **Verdict:** Like the moon landing video, the supposed “security footage” was obviously staged — this saucer heist was clearly the work of Martian looters. ## Feds Follow Looted “Footprints” ![crimes-of-the-art-scream-3](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/02/crimes-of-the-art-scream-3.jpg) Japanese antiquities dealer Tatsuzo Kaku was [arrested](http://nypost.com/2016/03/22/antique-dealer-arrested-for-smuggling-ancient-sculpture/?ref=hyperallergic.com) at Manhattan’s Mark Hotel for smuggling a 2nd-century sculpture and attempting to sell it for $1.1 million. The artifact, a 440-pound Buddhapada sculpture dubbed “Footprints of Buddha,” was stolen from an archaeological site in Pakistan in 1982\. A federal investigation of Kaku’s activities began last year, when a rival dealer outed him to authorities. Kaku was [released](http://www.thedailychappaqua.com/2016/03/24/crooked-antiques-dealer-dodges-prison-for-smuggled-1m-statue/?ref=hyperallergic.com) after paying a $5,000 fine and cooperating with investigators. **Verdict:** Antiquities dealers will tell the feds anything to cut a deal. ## Cliffhanger in Cambridge Cranium Cover-up ![crimes-of-the-art-scream-1](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/02/crimes-of-the-art-scream-1.jpg) A model of a skull used by medical students at the University of Cambridge’s King’s College was [stolen](http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Skulduggery-King-s-College-Cambridge-expensive/story-28986206-detail/story.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) from the school’s library, prompting the library to send out an all-student email that read: “Unfortunately a skull has gone missing from the library’s collection.” After a student posted part of the email on Twitter, the library attempted to cover up the incident, sending the student a message that concluded: “This has, as a result, attracted some unwarranted press attention. Please can you remove the Twitter post immediately.” The skull’s whereabouts remain unknown. **Verdict:** Cambridge gets an F in Skull Theft Cover-ups. ## Fabulous Flatware Found ![crimes-of-the-art-scream-3](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/02/crimes-of-the-art-scream-3.jpg) Two suspects were [arrested](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-most-expensive-plate-seized-in-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96776&NewsCatID=375&ref=hyperallergic.com) in Turkey’s Bandırma district and a trove of 105 historical artifacts seized, including what may be the world’s most valuable plate. The 2,000-year-old metal dish features scenes of the Persian king’s spring festivities rendered in bas relief around its edge. The suspects were trying to sell it for 2 million Turkish Liras (\~$705,000). **Verdict:** Sounds like the thieves will be missing this year’s spring festivities. ## Amateur Archaeologist Arrested ![crimes-of-the-art-scream-1](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/02/crimes-of-the-art-scream-1.jpg) A man who uncovered an ancient tomb in his backyard in Tongchuan, in China’s Shaanxi province, has been [arrested](http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1930570/chinese-man-arrested-suspicion-planning-sell-ancient-artefacts-he?ref=hyperallergic.com) for allegedly plotting to sell the 12 pieces of pottery and one sword he’d found in the tomb. **Verdict:** Apparently the old rule of “finders keepers” doesn’t apply to ancient tombs — who knew?