Details of major art theft under scrutiny

SALINAS, Calif., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Authorities in Monterey County, Calif., say they suspect victims of a reported art theft may not be telling the entire truth about the missing artworks.

Cmdr. Mike Richards of the Monterey County Sheriff's Department said Angelo Amadio, 31, and his housemate, Ralph Kennaugh, have been labeled suspects in the Sept. 25 heist after they offered varying accounts of the crime, the Los Angeles Times said Thursday.

"They're clearly lying to us," said Richards, who added the suspects' accounts varied in regards to what art pieces were stolen and the value of the stolen items.

Richards said Amadio and Kennaugh, whose ages was not reported, claim the $80 million robbery included stolen art works by artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock.

"We've repeatedly requested identifying information -- records of sale, contact information for the dealers, authentication material -- but they're not giving us anything," Richards said. "We're frustrated at their lack of cooperation."

The Times said Amadio was prepared Thursday to present documentation regarding the items allegedly stolen from the pair's rented home.

"What reason would we have for filing a phony claim on uninsured artwork?" Amadio said. "It's absurd."