A man suspected of pilfering a Banksy artwork featuring a stop sign embellished with three military drones was apprehended by London police on Saturday, according to authorities.
The Metropolitan police reported that a man in his 20s was in custody on suspicion of both theft and criminal damage related to the incident. The pilfering occurred less than an hour after the elusive street artist, Banksy, posted an image of the artwork on his Instagram page last Friday.
Video footage captured the suspect, armed with bolt cutters, mounting a bicycle to dislodge the artwork from a signpost at a street corner in the Peckham area of south London. Another individual assisted in steadying the bicycle, and the culprit swiftly absconded with the pilfered piece in hand.
A voice on the video expressed frustration, exclaiming, "It makes me so annoyed," as the suspect fled. Onlookers, including a witness identified as Alex, watched in awe as the scene unfolded. Alex, speaking to the PA news agency, mentioned that the crowd was bewildered, unsure of how to react, and the incident unfolded amidst some honking of car horns.
Jasmine Ali, deputy leader of the local borough council, urged the return of the artwork, emphasizing that it should not have been removed. She expressed the desire for the piece to be returned so that the entire community could appreciate Banksy's artistic contribution.
The stolen stop sign was subsequently replaced. Banksy's art, known for its thought-provoking and satirical nature, often addresses themes related to war. Many of the artist's Instagram followers interpreted this particular work as a call for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
