Police investigate heist of $1.5m Buddha statue from California gallery

The Barakat Gallery reported the theft of the 250lb bronze statue, which the director alleges took place after it was scoped out'

Los Angeles police are investigating after a thief carried out an overnight heist and stole a $1.5m Buddha statue, weighing almost 250lb, from an antiquities gallery.

Authorities received a report of a burglary on Monday at the Barakat Gallery, which offers museum quality" ancient art. According to surveillance footage, the thief had stolen the statue in the early morning hours in what appeared to be a planned burglary.