Updated at 8:26 p.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Art theft suspect arrested in Kapolei
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Francis X. Blackwell, 59, was taken into custody at a Makahaiwa'a Place residence at 7 p.m. and booked for first-degree theft. Blackwell was formerly employed as director of Island Art Galleries at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Ann W. Taylor, 58, a former part-time Island Art Galleries consultant, was arrested with Blackwell. Both Blackwell and Taylor, who claim to be husband and wife but are not legally married, according to police, were featured in an Aug. 7 Honolulu CrimeStoppers bulletin.
Blackwell remained in police custody today but Taylor was released pending further investigation.
Sgt. Dwayne Takayama of HPD's Central Honolulu burglary/theft detail said the couple, who have no permanent local address, were house-sitting the residence where the arrest took place.
According to Island Art Galleries owner Jeff Liu, the missing pieces of art include three original oil paintings by Chinese artist Zhou Ling and one by Zhenguo or Z.G. Tong.
