Montreal museum reports two major thefts

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MONTREAL, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts says two major architectural artifacts were stolen in October and rewards have been posted by the insurer.

The announcement said the thefts of a Persian bas-relief and carved marble head from the Roman Empire period weren't immediately disclosed to allow police to investigate, The (Montreal) Gazette reported Wednesday.

Fine-art loss adjuster Mark Dalrymple, representing the international insurance firm AXA Art, said the carved head was worth tens of thousands of dollars, while the Persian piece was worth "hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Security video footage shows one male suspect in the Mediterranean archeological exhibit room on Oct. 26. He is described as being in his 30s and about 5-foot-7 in height, the report said.

A $10,000 reward was announced for anyone who can identify the man in the video, while the insurance company is also offering an undisclosed, but "substantial" reward for the return of the pieces, the newspaper said.