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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

VIDEO: $2K Kenny Scharf Mural Swiped From East River Esplanade

By Dartunorro Clark | September 7, 2016 11:23am
 The man suspected in stealing the mural is described as 25 to 35 years old and last seen wearing a multi-colored T-shirt, black shorts and black sandals.
The man suspected in stealing the mural is described as 25 to 35 years old and last seen wearing a multi-colored T-shirt, black shorts and black sandals.
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NYPD; NYC Parks Department

MANHATTAN — A $2,000 Kenny Scharf mural hung on an East Harlem fence was taken by a pair of suspects who loaded it into an SUV and drove away, police said.

It was the second time a piece of art hung in the area was stolen, and this time the heist was captured on video.

The 60-foot-long, 7-foot-tall  Scharf mural had been put up at East River Park, at 517 E. 117 St., in July by the Friends of the East River Esplanade for a public art project.

It was a part of an effort to improve the Esplanade that stretched through the summer months.  

The suspects swiped it at 8 p.m. on Aug. 20, police said.

Another banner, hung by the group on 116th Street at FDR Drive, was stolen in June.

Police released a photo and video of the man appearing to steal the mural from the fence.

He is described as 25 to 35 years old and was last seen wearing a multi-colored T-shirt, black shorts and black sandals, the NYPD said.

Police did not have a photo of the second suspect, who was described as a woman with blonde hair.

The car used in the theft was described as a black or gray Honda Element.

“I’m glad the police have a lead because we would like to get the banner back,” said a spokesman for the Friends of the East River Esplanade. “We’re trying really hard to bring attention to the waterfront in East Harlem, so it was meant to spark a conversation, but not in this way.”

Group members said they were shocked since the mural was securely fastened to the fence

“These were double-braided steel ties. You had to really go with pliers, this is not like taking scotch tape off the wall kind of thing,” group member Jennifer Ratner previously told DNAinfo.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).