The oil paintings by Pittsfield-based artist Edward Pelkey were taken from the Tartell Gallery in the rear of the restaurant on Jan. 8 around 4:30 p.m., according to video surveillance. 

 

The footage shows a man entering through an abutting, vacant storefront that shares a bathroom with the bar and gallery, turning on the lights, taking the artwork, and turning off the lights before exiting. 

 

Due to the image quality, details of the man's features cannot be made out but the video has been shared on Facebook in hopes of someone recognizing him.

 

"We're just eager to get the artwork back if possible," owner Yuki Cohen said. 

 

The Pittsfield Police Department has turned the investigation over to its detective unit for a more in-depth analysis of the video and a search for other footage. 

 

Cohen noted that the person had keys to enter from the neighboring space and seemed familiar with the gallery, as the whole incident took less than a couple of minutes. 

 

Methuselah is closed on Sundays. 

 

While all parties hope to track down the person who did this, the main goal is to get Pelkey's artwork back. 

 

"The New Gunfighter in Town" features a man in a red shirt shooting through saloon doors and is 30 by 24 inches. "The Cubist Bounty Hunter" shows a figure in Mandalorian style armor shooting a gun with vibrantly colored action lines around it and is 18 by 14 inches. Both are oil on canvas. 

 

The abutting storefront at 393 North St. has formerly housed Shire Glass and Omega 1 African Fashion.