Man Held in Picasso Painting Theft at San Francisco Art Gallery to Plead Not Guilty

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (AP).- The attorney for a New Jersey man accused of snatching a Picasso drawing off the wall of a San Francisco art gallery says his client will plead not guilty.

Mark Lugo appeared in court Monday for the first time since his arrest last week on suspicion of stealing the 1965 sketch, which was on sale at the Weinstein Gallery for more than $200,000.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a judge agreed to a request from Lugo’s attorney, Douglas Horngrad, to postpone his arraignment until Friday. Horngrad said he wants Lugo’s $5 million bail reduced.

The 30-year-old sommelier from Hoboken, N.J., is charged with grand theft, possession of stolen property and second-degree burglary.

Police on Wednesday arrested Lugo in Napa, where they found the undamaged drawing stripped from its frame.

Related posts:

1. Police say Picasso Theft was Part of Luxury Spree at New York Galleries and Hotels
2. Police on the Hunt for Picasso Drawing Stolen from San Francisco’s Weinstein Gallery
3. Connecticut Police Probe Theft of Two Tang Dynasty Chinese Sculptures Stored in Westport
4. Painting by Spanish Baroque Master Francisco Ribalta Restored After Being Hidden in Church
5. Stolen Painting Believed to Be a Modigliani Held Clue to Serbia War Crimes Arrest