Surveyor Finds a Stolen Painting in the Rain: The Aldenmoor Heist

Surveyor Finds a Stolen Painting in the Rain: The Aldenmoor Heist A gilt-framed nineteenth-century painting insured for $240,000 sat face-out against a foundation wall, soaked but protected by its frame after eight days in the rain-how does a valuable work reported missing end up abandoned in the open? Who read a nine-minute bypass schedule and left the painting where a county surveyor would almost step on it? In this episode, we follow the discovery, the museum’s security history, and the paper trail that pulled an FBI Art Crime Team investigator into files, phone records, and maintenance logs to pursue the central mystery: why was the painting left instead of carried away? Person: Neil Andrews Date: March 14, 2011 Location: Aldenmoor Cultural Center, Braddock, Pennsylvania Object: Lot and Livestock (follower of David Teniers the Younger) Insurance: $240,000 - The painting measured 22 inches wide by 30 inches tall. - Aldenmoor acquired the painting in 1988 and held it for 23 years. - The painting was reported missing on March 6, 2011 and found on March 14, 2011-eight days later. - The annual pre-action fire-suppression test was scheduled March 2, 2011 from 8:15 to 8:24 p.m.-a nine-minute bypass window. - At least four Aldenmoor employees had access to the shared digital portal containing bypass documentation. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].