Five million dollars in art and jewelry taken from Rancho Santa Fe home

A wealthy estate in Rancho Santa Fe had more than $5 million worth of art and jewelry stolen, seven weeks ago, according to a San Diego County Sheriff’s detective.

“We have been and we continue to aggressively investigate the case,” detective Brett Garrett said today. “If the public has seen any of these items, in their travels, we are asking for information from the public.”

Detective Brett Garrett declined to reveal the name of the homeowner or the specific address of the burgled home in a telephone interview this morning.

It was after 9 p.m. on a Monday night, June 17 that “unknown suspects” entered the home, detective Garrett said, and the thieves were able to escape with a mass of loot before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, June 18, 2013.

“The residence was unoccupied at the time of the theft,” the detective said.

Eleven paintings were stolen, plus one Monet print and one Camille Pissarro print. Chinese sculptures and twenty different pieces by sculpture artist Andreas von Zadora Gerloff were taken, the detective said.

Four different sets of custom jewelry, these were necklace and bracelet combinations valued at $100,000 each, were stolen. Those fabulous, wear-able art pieces were created from gold and diamonds and tourmaline and other precious gems, according to the investigator.

“Obviously these types of things, you can’t just jump on craigslist to sell these unique items,” detective Garrett said today. The officer said there are “several different options” for selling or trading these unique stolen goods, which includes “certain auction houses” and art exhibits and the “black market.”

The detective said investigators are hoping for help from the public to find the loot and identify suspects.

Helpful information can be sent by regular mail to Deputy Adriana Uribe or police officer James Johnson, at 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101-5729.

If a person with information wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a $1,000 reward, they are invited to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Or an email or text message can be sent to www.sdcrimestoppers.com.