Uriel Landeros: Picasso vandal charged (VIDEO)
A photo of Uriel Landeros released by Crime Stoppers.
Uriel Landeros, who was wanted in the vandalism of a Picasso masterpiece at a Houston museum, has been charged.
Landeros, 22, was captured on a cell phone video spray painting a picture of a bull and the word "Conquista" in gold across Pablo Picasso's 1929 painting "Woman in a Red Armchair," according to CNN. "Conquista" means conquest in Spanish. The 24-second video, taken by a bystander, was uploaded to YouTube, where Landeros was identified by a Crime Stoppers tip.
The painting was hanging in a Houston museum when Landeros did the damage on June 13, reported the Associated Press. He was charged on Friday with felony graffiti and criminal mischief, but has yet to be caught. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for tips leading to his arrest.
More from GlobalPost: Thrift store 'Picasso' sells for $7,000
Landeros is described as 5'8" tall and weighs 180 lbs., according to the SeattlePI. Crime Stoppers has asked anyone with information about his location or the involvement of other suspects to call 713-222-TIPS (8477). Museum spokesman Vance Muse said the painting is still being repaired and restored.
"The painting went directly to the on-site conservation lab down the hall," said museum spokeswoman Gretchen Sammons to CNN. "The damage is being undone and the prognosis is excellent."
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, this is the best time to do it. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. All donations between now and June 30 will be matched 2:1. Will you help keep our newsroom on strong footing by giving to The World?