Ep 10. Episode 10
- October 17, 2017
- 28 min
After a successful two seasons, Thief Trackers is back with its third season, and the tenth episode is not one to miss. The show's makers have taken a unique approach to this season by selecting some of the most daring thefts that took place in 2020 and 2021.
The tenth episode of season three follows the theft of an art museum in the heart of London. The museum is infamous for housing some of the most priceless artwork in the world, dating back to the 15th century. The show's host Cherry Healey sets out to meet with the Met Police's art tracking unit to understand the effect of art theft and the process of retrieving missing art.
The episode starts with a surveillance footage of the thief breaking into the museum at midnight. The thief carefully navigates through the laser system and removes a painting from the wall before leaving. This was no ordinary art theft as the thief seemed to have an extensive knowledge of the museum's security system. Cherry Healey delves deeper into the details of the theft, providing a background on the priceless artwork in the museum.
The museum's director, art curator, and the investigating team all share their views on the theft and what it means to the world of art. It is interesting to see how everyone approaches the theft from a different perspective. The director of the museum shares his heartbreak over the missing painting, while the investigator emphasizes the importance of preserving the artwork for posterity.
Cherry Healey gets a sneak peek behind the scenes of the stolen art black market. The program's AI systems scour the dark web to find the whereabouts of the missing artwork and provide potential leads. The tracker system can monitor criminal activity and help solve crimes faster. However, the black market tracker provides mixed results, leaving the team frustrated in their efforts to retrieve the missing artwork.
The art tracking team discusses the possibility of the painting being sold in other countries and shares some of their success stories in retrieving stolen art from around the globe. They highlight the importance of cooperation between international law enforcement agencies to tackle the black market trade of stolen artwork.
Furthermore, the episode discusses how stolen art is treated differently from other stolen property. The art world considers each piece of art as unique and cannot be valued by a monetary value alone. The sentimental value of the artwork amplifies its worth, further highlighting the need for art preservation.
The owners of the stolen artwork are often subject to the art black market's manipulation, and it is significant to ensure that no stolen artwork is passed from one owner to the other. Cherry Healey takes to the streets of London to understand whether the public is aware of the issue and the efforts taken to retrieve stolen artwork.
The show's host meets with victims of art theft to highlight the impact of theft on their lives. One such person is Marie, whose sculpture was stolen from her garden. The sculpture had remained in her family for generations, making the heist even more painful. The episode continues with similar stories of how theft has impacted the art world, including the Melonie Lafaille case, one of the most famous art heists of all time.
In conclusion, the tenth episode of season three of Thief trackers is a must-watch for anyone interested in the art world, crime prevention, or simply looking for an insightful program. The episode is unique, informative, and provides a glance into the art world's struggles to preserve priceless artifacts. Cherry Healey's hosting adds a personal touch to the show, and the art tracking team provides meaningful insights into the retrieval of stolen art. Tune in to discover whether the stolen painting is found or lost in the depths of the black market.