(posted 7678 days ago)Monroe exhibition: diamonds snatched
Apr 18 2003South London Press
THIEVES stole jewellery once owned by Marilyn Monroe from an exhibition on the South Bank.Two men walked into the Marilyn - Life Of A Legend exhibition at the County Hall Gallery in the Riverside Building, near the London Eye, at around 3.10pm on Monday.
They stole a diamond encrusted gold ring with an 'M' motif and a gold bangle encrusted with diamonds, which both once belonged to the screen siren.
The sex-symbol actress wore the two items of jewellery - now valued at around £40,000 - when she was married to US baseball star Joe Di Maggio.
Security staff at the exhibition were alerted to the theft by a member of the public. They followed the suspects out-side the building and alerted police on a routine patrol of the South Bank.
One man was arrested near the gallery on suspicion of theft. He has been released on bail pending inquiries.
The second man - described as black, slimly built, around 5ft 9ins tall and wearing a dark-coloured coat over a suit - remains at large.
Detectives have appealed for witnesses and information.
Detective Inspector Tim Forber, of Kennington CID, said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was visiting the Marilyn Monroe exhibition between 3pm and 3.30pm to contact police immediately. It is vital that we hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the County Hall Gallery just before or just after 3pm.
"The South Bank is extremely busy at this time and many people are potential witnesses to this incident."
The detective also appealed to anyone who had been offered the distinctive stolen items, and those with other information, to contact police.
He warned the outstanding suspect: "It will be very difficult to sell these items and you would be advised to return them to the rightful owners at the earliest opportunity."
Anyone with information should contact detectives at Kennington CID on 020-8649 2477 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.