EDITOR'S NOTE: The charges in this case were dropped in February, 2017.
LOGAN SQUARE — Police arrested a woman who apparently was caught on surveillance camera stealing a painting from a nonprofit art gallery in Logan Square last month.
Manar Halawa, 20, of Hickory Hills, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of theft, according to police.
Police identified Halawa as the woman who stole an abstract painting from IPaintMyMind, an organization out of the Green Exchange building, 2545 W. Diversey Ave., on Jan. 2 around 2 p.m.
The painting — by local artist Zac Franzoni — was worth about $600, according to gallery founder Evan La Ruffa.
The surveillance video shows a woman gaining entry to the building by closely following two other people inside. Then she is seen walking up to the painting and walking away before doubling back and pulling the painting off the wall and walking out around the 1:28 mark, the video shows.
"We're out here supporting the community and to have this person do that, it just sucks," La Ruffa told DNAinfo when the video surfaced.
"We're a small nonprofit, trying to give back and spread good vibes. Artists have a hard enough time. We don't need people stealing their work."
Following the charges, La Ruffa called the whole thing a "waste of time" for a nonprofit that has limited resources.
"I'm the only full-time staffer at IPMM - we don't have resources or time to waste, so this has been a time suck, not to mention a loss for Zac," La Ruffa said, adding that he still hopes the painting will be recovered.
The gallery founder is hosting an art opening for Franzoni tonight, from 7-10 p.m. The artist will be painting live at the event.
Halawa is scheduled to appear in court at Branch 23, 5555 W. Grand Ave., on Feb. 28.
