Hotel in Australia offers its guests the chance to try and steal a work of art by Banksy

MELBOURNE.- Crime Stoppers is to become the beneficiary of a valuable piece of art that inept thieves have failed to steal despite multiple attempts.

Art Series Hotels in Melbourne offered its guests over summer the chance to try and steal a work of art by notorious street artist Banksy. If people could get away with the theft they got to keep the art, if they got caught, then back on the wall it went. With two paintings to be stolen, after one month the score is ‘one all’, with one Banksy piece being stolen, and one left on the walls. One guest was cunning enough to steal the first work of art on offer (‘No Ball Games’) however, no one has shown the guile needed to steal the second piece of Banksy art ‘Pulp Fiction’, itself valued at over $4,000.

Attempts to steal the art included:

• Re-wiring the internal security cameras so would be thieves couldn’t be seen

• Distracting the security with stories of broken room furniture and fittings

• Scantily clad women distracting staff

• A man with a tall broom attempted to unhinge the painting and run away

• A few brazen hit and run attempts

• Some imposters pretending they were hotel staff

• Another Imposter pretending he was a tradesman (complete with a ladder)

• A Bonnie and Clyde post modern attempt by two people who Twittered their every move

• Even tennis super star Serena Williams recently gave it a crack

However, a GPS device attached to the art showed it never left the three hotels except when transported between the three (The Olsen, The Cullen and The Blackman), securely by hotel staff. Hence, the Art Series Hotels are now donating the work that was not stolen to Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stoppers, always on the look out to stop and report crime are the delighted recipients of the art.

Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Sprott said “We want people to report crime when they see it, as we can’t assume that all criminals will be as inept as the people who tried to steal this ‘Pulp Fiction’ piece. We will be auctioning off this work of art with the much needed proceeds going to the prevention and reporting of crime.”

Will Deague, CEO of Art Series Hotel said “Although it’s been a wonderful exercise for the hotel group, our night staff in particular are glad the Banksy has gone. Thanks to everyone who’s stayed with us over summer, and for the brave souls who had a crack at stealing the art. We sincerely wish Crime Stoppers well and hope they raise significant funds with this piece of art.”

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3. Cleaners Paint Over Priceless Stencil of a Rat by Banksy
4. Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool uncovers a statue of a priest vandalised by Banksy
5. Infamous (and Anonymous) Banksy’s “Exit” to Premiere at Sundance