The FBI doesn't know who forced their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 14 years ago today to pull off the biggest art heist in history, but agents continue to field at least a half- dozen tips a week, according to the agent leading the investigation.
Special Agent Geoffrey J. Kelly said leads continue to pour in from around the country and the world, and some that are being investigated seem "promising."
"Every day there is something to be done on this case . . . our hope is that one of these leads will lead to the recovery of the paintings," Kelly said.
As the investigation into the $300 million theft enters its 15th year, federal officials have said they are more concerned with getting the artwork back than prosecuting the thieves, and may be willing to strike a deal for its safe return. The 13 stolen treasures include paintings and sketchings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet.
US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan urged anyone with information about the Gardner artwork to contact his office. "I think under the right circumstances, we would consider immunity [from prosecution] in exchange for the return of the artwork," he said.
"I wouldn't sit here and just agree to immunity in the abstract," Sullivan added, "but if someone came forward through representatives or themselves, I would have a great deal of interest in talking about an agreement that allows for the artwork to be returned."
The FBI hopes that Sullivan's overture and a $5 million reward the museum promised years ago, will lead to a break in the case that has frustrated investigators for years.
"There's no shortage of leads," said Kelly, who has a hefty file detailing trips around the world and unsuccessful negotiations in the search for the art. "Unfortunately, none of these have resulted in the recovery of the artwork."
Since two men dressed as Boston police officers duped guards into opening the door to the museum in the morning of March 18, 1990, there have been countless theories about who did it.
Speculation included links to the Irish Republican Army, South American drug cartels, a private art collector, organized crime figures, or thieves trying to use the artwork as a bargaining chip to avoid prison time for another crime.
"We've got some outlandish theories, but we've run them all down," said Kelly, noting that the FBI is unwilling to dismiss anyone whose name has surfaced as a possible suspect.
"There's nobody that I've said, `He couldn't have done it, we're closing the file on him and moving on,' " Kelly said.
Although Kelly said he believes there are some "viable theories" about who stole the artwork, he declined to discuss them.
But, he did say he thinks it is unlikely that a wealthy, private collector commissioned the burglary. "The manner in which they were taken was more consistent with a smash-and-grab than a well-thought- out art-for-hire theft," said Kelly, noting that the thieves slashed the masterpieces from their frames.
Cathy Deely, spokeswoman for the museum, said the empty frames remain on the walls as "place holders," awaiting the return of the paintings.
Deely noted that the museum has many other treasures that continue to draw crowds. Many events are planned this year to celebrate the museum's centennial. "Nothing would be more wonderful during our centennial year than to celebrate their return," Deely said.
Copyright Boston Globe Newspaper
