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Band Accidentally Recovers $250,000 Stolen Painting

In a real life "Scooby Doo adventure," band Stereo Fire Empire found a stolen George Rodrigue painting and returned it to the cops.

If things don't work out for New Orleans band Stereo Fire Empire, they'll always have art theft recovery to fall back on: much in the way a lost painting was found in the background of Stuart Little, following a performance at the House of Blues New Orleans, bass player Elliot Newkirk noticed a suspicious pile of paintings propped against a neighborhood wall nearby. "I collect discarded art and things like that," told Evan Diez to Fox 8 Live"Even if it's just a frame, I'll pick it up. I saw those canvases and had to check them out."

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His find? A recently stolen painting by artist George Rodrigue estimated to be worth $250,000.

Earlier that day, a thief had lifted it in broad daylight from George Rodrigue Studios in New Orleans. Says Newkirk, "Our guitar player was actually talking about how he saw on Facebook that a painting was stolen." The band uncovered the painting "Literally five minutes later."

The painting, known as Wendy and Me, depicts the late Rodrigue's wife alongside the blue dog for which the artist is best-known, and was used in invitations to the couple's wedding. Stereo Fire Empire promptly returned the painting to the 8th District police station nearby, describing the experience as a "Scooby Doo adventure." The band documented their rescue of the painting in a video clip, viewable here. At press time, the suspected thief is still on the lam.

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Visit George Rodrigue Studio to learn about the artist and the original theft.

Related:

Find Missing Masterpieces Inside the Museum of Stolen Art

'Stuart Little' Uncovered a Lost Painting

Put Your (Virtual) Fist Through a $12 Million Monet