A missing mural has turned into an art theft investigation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The 20-by-10-foot mural was mounted to the side of DX Arcade in the heart of Central Square.
The owner says someone cut the edges around where it was mounted to steal it.
“I am shocked. Why would they steal it?” asked Colette Ciregna, who lives in Central Square.
It was taken during the middle of the day leaving a big grey empty spot in Central Square.
“It’s very inclusive and very colorful,” said Ciregna. “Just the way Central Square is.”
Sean Hope owns the missing mural and DX Arcade, the business the mural was on.
“I really wanted to make it a mural that was alive and really reflects the future of Central Square,” said Hope.
He said he made the discovery earlier this month.
“I saw the little pieces left, remaining, cut,” he said.
Hope reported the theft to Cambridge police.
“It was a canvas-type material that was put up and bolted onto the wall,” said Sgt. Bob Reardon, the department’s spokesperson.
Reardon says detectives are going through surveillance video captured by several cameras at the intersection.
“Somebody was able just to cut around the bolts and take it down,” said Reardon. “They did so very quickly and in broad daylight.”
Central Square takes a lot of pride in art. This public walkway known as graffiti alley is basically a public art gallery, so this missing art has caught people’s attention. And like most art, it stirs emotion.
“I don’t think businesses should use AI for advertising,” said Caden Ahmed, who was walking by the missing mural location. “I’m happy it’s gone.”
Other residents say it created a nice vibe at the intersection.
“It was freeing, very freeing, and inclusive of all different kinds of people,” said Ciregna.
“It was a beautiful piece on a wall,” said Hope. “Everybody has an opinion on art, and now we’re destroying things that weren’t done a certain way.”
Hope said that surveillance footage shows two young females with a ladder. He says the mural costs more than $5,000 in materials and the art. He is hoping to replace the missing mural soon.