Minneapolis artist's studio burglarized of $80,000 in artwork

Minneapolis police have charged 56-year-old Ricardo Andres Bassat with felony burglary following the theft of approximately $80,000 worth of artwork from the studio of 80-year-old artist Leon Hushcha.

The burglary occurred on June 2 in the North Loop neighborhood. Surveillance footage captured two individuals arriving with an empty handcart around 6:45 a.m. and departing 30 minutes later with the cart loaded and covered by a black sheet. One individual was observed wearing a UPS vest.

Following a tip, police searched a storage unit in St. Paul on July 1, where they recovered 14 of Hushcha’s paintings inside a protective Pelican case. The recovered works are valued at roughly $60,000. However, four paintings and 80 prints remain missing. Investigators also found a portfolio of sketches signed by Bassat at the scene.

Hushcha, an artist with over 60 years of experience in the Twin Cities, noted that while the recovered paintings were intact, their frames were damaged. Bassat is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County District Court on Monday, while police continue to search for an accomplice.