Felipe dos Santos Fernandes Quadra, 31, was arrested on Monday (8) for suspected theft of artworks from the Mário de Andrade library in central São Paulo. His lawyer states that he did not keep the pieces, which were taken by another person. The artworks, valued at up to R$ 4.5 million, include engravings by Henri Matisse and Candido Portinari.
On Sunday morning (7), two intruders subdued an unarmed security guard and a visiting couple at the Mário de Andrade municipal library in central São Paulo. They used a canvas bag to carry away 13 artworks and fled through the main door toward Anhangabaú metro station. The stolen pieces include eight engravings by Henri Matisse from the book 'Jazz' and five by Candido Portinari illustrating 'Menino de Engenho' by José Lins do Rego, in a 1959 edition by the Sociedade dos Cem Bibliófilos do Brasil. Experts estimate the total value at up to R$ 4.5 million, with each Matisse engraving worth about R$ 500,000 and Portinari's R$ 100,000 each.
Smart Sampa security videos captured the suspects getting out of a van on Rua João Adolfo around 10 a.m. One, in a light shirt, carried the larger works and left them leaning against a wall next to a pile of trash before hurrying away. The other, in dark clothes, walked past. Internal footage shows destruction: Matisse engravings removed from entrance walls, one left hanging by a screw, a plexiglass counter cut open with pieces on the floor, and works overturned. The thieves left behind a black briefcase and a hammer.
Felipe dos Santos Fernandes Quadra, 31, was identified in the footage carrying the pieces out of the library. He was arrested Monday afternoon (8) in an occupation in Mooca, east zone, during a police operation; his phone was seized, but the artworks were not found. Police visited his home Sunday night without locating him. Quadra has prior records for robbery and drug trafficking, according to the Court of Justice.
His lawyer, Glória Oliveira, stated that Quadra is a drug user and unaware of the works' value. 'He didn't know the economic dimension of the works and what they really mean,' she said. Oliveira denies he kept the pieces, claiming another person took them, and confirmed her client was advised to remain silent. She could not say if the crime was commissioned or if he was paid.
The getaway vehicle was located and seized for forensics. The case is under investigation by the 1st Cerco. São Paulo City Hall notified Interpol to prevent the artworks' export, along with Ibram, Iphan, and AGAB. The pieces were part of the free exhibition 'From Book to Museum: MAM São Paulo and the Mário de Andrade Library,' which ended Sunday.