FBI offers reward for stolen Warhol soup can prints

The prints stolen are part of a series of Warhol prints like this set which hangs at Es Baluard museum in Palma, Majorca

The FBI has announced a $25,000 (£17,500) reward for information leading to the recovery of seven Andy Warhol soup can prints stolen from the Springfield Art Museum in Missouri.

The prints, which are part of a set of 10, were stolen in a break-in at the museum in the early hours of 7 April.

The prints have been on display at the museum since 1985 are valued at $500,000 (£351,000).

The screen print collection is based on paintings created by Warhol in 1962.

Each print is individually framed and the ones stolen are for soup cans with the labels beef, vegetable, tomato, onion, green pea, chicken noodle and black bean.

Museum director Nick Nelson has praised the "outpouring of support of the Springfield community and the quick response of the Springfield Police Department and FBI".

"For those of us who work at the museum and in Springfield's art community, the theft of these iconic Warhol prints that the museum has had in our permanent collection for 30 years feels like the loss of a family member," he said.

"We appreciate any assistance the public can provide to law enforcement to ensure the return of these treasured pieces of art."

The museum is remaining open to the public and is looking at its security measures.

"The museum is working with the proper authorities and being proactive in our security efforts as we remain open to the public. We are confident that the measures we are taking will protect the museum's treasures, while still making art accessible to our community," Nelson said.

The FBI has a specialised Art Crime Team to recover stolen items and prosecute art and cultural property crime.

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