a plan to fail spencer reinhard painting
They also did considerable research on the Internet, using such key terms as auction house appraisals, stun guns, and Swiss bank accounts. For inspiration, they watched heist movies like Ocean's 11 and Snatch. I took my zip ties and I put them around her feet and put them around her arms. It was about at that point that Gooch remembers Warren saying, Quit struggling, B.J., or do you want to feel more pain?. He feared being restricted in any way. Afterward, Warren and Spencer briefed the others, and the four went to lunch, where, the boys say, Chas insisted they spend another night in New York and attempt to see Mr. Leckey the next day. After the Halloran interview the F.B.I. The reaction to the plan was generally positiveshortly after Thanksgiving, they moved forward. Even if they did steal the books, for example, how would they ever sell them? I've met with them, Eric continues. He was visibly unnerved, Warren remembers. into a perfect parking space and watched as Eric and Warren entered the library. Spencer was arrested in a simultaneous raid on his dorm room at Transy. And then they came up with the issue of getting these appraised. Leave a message. A Google search of Spencer Reinhard brought up numerous hits for soccer in the Lexington area. They simply ignored him, and the four returned to Lexington. On the morning of December 17, 2004, Betty Jean Gooch, a librarian in the Special Collections Library at Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky, was preparing for her 11 o'clock appointment with Walter Beckman, a man she had never met. And so I see Warren go back. They jump in the van and peel out around the loop.. Now the hard partwe have to steal them. I was nervous. and having to sign a fucking book. By hitting the ball back into Warrens court, Spencer thought he would keep that thrilling flicker of criminality burning for a bit longer, while fully expecting there to be an insurmountable obstacle somewhere down the road. When Eric let him in on the plan, Chas mocked the three as deluded potheads, he recalls. During a meeting in the basement, Warren convinced the other two that they were going to need a fourth, principally to help haul the nearly 250 pounds in Audubon folios out of the library. as we left we were going to make an anonymous phone call so they knew she was up here, Eric continues. They take you in the Special Collections and show you these books, Spencer remembers, including Transy's prized Birds of America, by John James Audubon, a four-volume set of life-size engravings the pioneer wildlife artist completed in London in 1838. Choose your favorite reinhard art prints from 2,323 available designs. Gicle print on Hahnemuhle Photo Paper (Matt 210gr) 2021 Limited edition of 25, all prints are signed and numbered. I showed artistic ability from a young age and was selected to attend SCAPA in the fourth grade. By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This story was recently documented in the feature film American Animals. After researching auction houses online, Warren singled out Christie's in New York. I was born in Lexington, Kentucky and was raised by my wonderful parents in what was a largely carefree and happy childhood. To be such a big part of her life has been a joy. That was the plan. There were all sorts of theories as to why they had done it: they were drug addicts; they had amassed large gambling debtsor Lipkas father had, and the boys did it to save the familys honor (the variant most popular with the local papers). agent discovered the stolen books, all undamaged, as well as the five-page typed plan for the heist, an accounting ledger, wigs, instructions for opening a Swiss bank account, and stun guns, which had apparently arrived after the robbery. A witness had written down a license-plate number, but it was way off. I never intended to paint them and I resisted the idea but in the end I couldnt help but indulge the irony. Nothing panned out until mid-January, when, following a federal subpoena, Yahoo delivered all the data on its servers related to the walter.beckman@yahoo.com address. Back at Warren's later that afternoon, the boys were transfixed by local coverage of the Transy Book Heist. According to the news, it appeared that neither Gooch nor anyone else was able to provide the police with an accurate description of the boys. Spencer drives me out to Lexington [Blue Grass Airport] on a Friday. Even if we wanted to, they won't let us. Im not going to lie. Suddenly without Erics mock-ups, software, and equipment, Warren thought of Spencer. Warren had been convinced after spotting a suspicious man loitering near the yellow bungalowwhen he stepped outside, the man disappeared into an unmarked white van with tinted windows and sped off. 's computers. Because their campuses were only a mile apart, they assumed they would stay close, but as with most freshmen, their assured identities and easy expectations muddied once they hit campus. I never intended to paint them and I resisted the idea but in the end I couldn't help but indulge the irony. So we would see parts like that and we would be Oh, this is just like us. Little did the three know that F.B.I. Quote tagged! Far from being social outcasts, they had been popular athletes, and two were on some form of college scholarship. Warren also ordered four stun guns over the Internet. Bam. (Throughout the interviews with the three, it became clear that Chas was the odd man out among the group. In fact, they all tell me that as the planning picked up in the months before the heist, the three of them came to believe that it was their best and perhaps last chance to create a viable life for themselves after college. Reinhards works will be exhibited at his residencys final exhibition on May 8, culminating in May 16s big reveal. As she inspected the items, Halloran dutifully took notes, then asked a few questions regarding their provenance, which Spencer answered as best he could under the circumstances. He topped off his new living quarters with the last of his worldly belongings: a large-screen television, a DVD player, and a Sony PlayStation. Warren jumped at the opportunity and recruited another adrift freshman, his old high-school soccer teammate Eric Borsuk, as a partner. With a long, thin face and bleached-blond hair and sideburns, he appeared younger than Gooch had expected. Warren and Chas left the other two and staggered to the nearby China Club, a tacky West Side nightclub, which they knew about from the famous Rick James episode of Chappelle's Show. After four years in New Jersey I was released back to Lexington where I lived with my parents and continued to paint. After becoming disillusioned with the college experience, I rebelled from the sterile, privileged life I was leading by committing six felonies which famously landed me in prison for 87 months. Warren and Spencer readied themselves early without waking the others, silently showering, shaving, and putting the finishing touches on their outfits. In the early evening, they say they smoked some celebratory Kentucky Bluegrass weed they had stashed away for the occasion. Warren introduced himself as Mr. Williams. because she wanted a new Range Rover, like, what? When an agent called, he got a voice-mail recording, This is Spence. We had a few pitchers, feeling each other out. In his talk, Spencer speaks to how he found a unique, unexpected sense of freedom and honesty in his art, not constrained by societal influences or monetary pressures. A painting by Reinhard, a gifted artist, may offer some clues. Undeterred, Warren introduced himself as Terry, firmly shaking hands before sitting down. No response. Donald Trump to Evangelicals: You Cant Break Up With Me Because Im Breaking Up With You First, Reality Is Submerged in Fantasy: The Villages Is a Boomers UtopiaAnd Demographic Time Bomb. for a second vehicle at a secret location, which, according to Warrens plan, is used to transport team and loot to temporary resting place. After the heist, since it is certain that the stolen books will be entered into art-theft databases within a week, they have to get the books appraised at Christies in New York immediately. Dressed for success in a tailored dark-blue suit his parents had bought for special occasions and future job interviews, Warren cultivated the young-conservative look, using a Windsor knot on his red tie and giving his wing tips a last-minute buff. Starting with a 1970s Pierre Cardin canary-yellow blazer that had belonged to his grandfather, he wore a dress shirt with an ostentatiously large collar and a gold silk scarf. Ive met with them, Eric continues. As they took their seats in the conference room, Warren explained that he and Mr. Stephens are the sole representatives of Walter Beckman, whom he described as a very private individual from Boston who had recently inherited several valuable rare books and manuscripts. (Big Warren declined to comment on the gambling accusations at the time.) We're going to need more people, Warren remembers thinking. The others spent time in the library, too, taking notes on staff routines and viable escape routes. Spencer, meanwhile, was accepted to Transylvania on an arts scholarship, his sights firmly set on a career in graphic design. Forensically examining Instagram accounts, interviews, and police reports, author Kathleen Hale reconstructs their relationship, and ultimately Petitos murder. believing that they had escaped with next to nothing. 2023 Cond Nast. That's what we were doing, kind of living this little Matchstick Men, college kind of life.. Frightened and alone in an unfriendly neighborhood and weighed down with priceless books, Warren and Eric barreled down the street, frantically trying to hail a police cruiser to rescue them. When summer break began, the three returned home to the subdivisions of South Lexington. Because this is so much bigger than anything weve done before.. He looked like he was dressed from a thrift store, Halloran told the agents. The contact, who identified himself only as Barry, stipulated that Warren had to bring $500 in good-faith money. Chas cursed Warren as an incompetent, and condemned the other two as burnouts, demanding that the three figure out a way to get the books appraised so they could move on to the next phase of the plan. Eric had propped the folios on the steps with his foot when the librarian appeared at the top of the stairs, beside herself with rage after finding Gooch hog-tied in the Rare Book Room. For one, its cheaper, and this allowed me to work less and spend more time with my young daughter. The truth is, but for one obvious, big mistakethe trip to Christiesthey probably would have gotten away with it, a Lexington police detective told me. Serving a seven-year prison sentence following his involvement in a notorious heist (portrayed in the film American Animals), Spencer Reinhard was committed to not losing the best years of his life. He turned to his own art, determined to refine his craft and technique. The meeting ended after 30 minutes, and Ms. Halloran escorted the two out, assuring them that she'd be in touch after conferring with her superiors on the best way forward. Spencer, meanwhile, was short, wiry, distant, and in many ways Warren's opposite: an over-scheduled, over-achieving, diamond-tipped drill of a kid who excelled at whatever he set himself to. Its great to be the inspiration for this project., Two weeks into his stay, Reinhard, an ardent ornithologist, whose works draw inspiration from late Dutch-American abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning, feels that his greatest artistic asset is his versatility. Thats what we were doing, kind of living this little Matchstick Men, college kind of life.. And one thing led to another and we were just like, Let's put this behind us. And once we get past all of that, we started talking about this plan that he and Spencer have. They tried to come up with some link the cops could make between them and the theft, but they couldn't. Suddenly without Eric's mock-ups, software, and equipment, Warren thought of Spencer. So we go back down to the bottom floor just to get away from her. For example, if you want to go on a vacation, you should first decide where you are going and how much money you have . Believe me, you havent heard the last of us yet.. After prison I took up a casual interest in birds. By far the most common theory around town was that the heist had been just a frat prank that spun way out of control. In high school, Warren, a lanky six-footer with a mop of brown hair, was a popular jock and a class clown who delighted his classmates by bear-hugging his nemesis, the dean of students, at graduation. onto nearby Fourth Street and careened through traffic before stopping a mile farther on, in front of a predominantly black housing project. Amid safety concerns, and anxiety over the fate of a $200 million movie. The plan for the actual robbery sets out three distinct phases. Afterward, Warren and Spencer briefed the others, and the four went to lunch, where, the boys say, Chas insisted they spend another night in New York and attempt to see Mr. Leckey the next day. still young, Warren says. He was also less cordial and more agitated in person, asking Gooch soon after arriving if he could invite a friend along to see the books. Spencer, feeling increasingly disaffected with school life himself, readily accepted the offer. It Was Catastrophic: Inside Prince Andrews Misguided Bid to Explain Away Epstein, In the wake of Jeffrey Epsteins arrest and apparent suicide, Prince Andrew moved from the fringe of a swirling underage-sex scandal toward its white-hot center. We told B.J. agents were sitting behind them the whole time, listening to their every word. I can't really get into too much specifics, Eric says, but we were doing all kinds of little scams: making fake IDs, making little things here and there. Having concluded that the next logical stage of his development was to study art in college he enrolled at Transylvania University in Kentucky. In the morning, Warren says, he left two messages with Leckey's secretary and two more that afternoon. In terms of the dollar amount involved and the extraordinary circumstances, the theft was one of the most significant in its history. Barry described himself as an older man with a long ponytail and said he'd be wearing a green scarf. The meeting initially hit a snag when Barry was put off by the boys' youth. At only $200 a month, the price was right, as Warren was broke after having shut down his and Spencer's fake-ID business and dropping out of U.K. for the semester to focus full-time on the heist. Get the latest chatter, from Kensington Palace and beyond, straight to your inbox. Among the prisoners are three of the four unlikely masterminds behind the Transy Book Heist: Warren Lipka, Spencer Reinhard, and Eric Borsuk. We werent, like, hardened criminals, so we kind of had to really put up a front. Warren deepens his voice: How ya doing? That kind of stuff. After an awkward back-and-forth, Warren finally handed the man the $500. Between studying for his first semesters finals, working out, and painting, Spencer made time to scope out the Special Collections section of the Transy library, reporting back to Warren weeks later that there was zero security other than an old lady librarian named B.J. I cant really get into too much specifics, Eric says, but we were doing all kinds of little scams: making fake IDs, making little things here and there. After high school I chose to attend Transylvania University where I would continue to play soccer and study art. The meeting lasted no more than 15 minutes, but still, it was a turning point because the men explained to Warren a crucial step of selling rare books, stolen or otherwise: appraisal by a legitimate auction house. Warren had run up the side of the hill and frantically ran off. Spencer received a commission to paint murals at a local school and kept up his soccer training, Eric started a lawn-care business with his friend Chas Allen, and Warren landed a job at a local day camp. The four men. And that's when I came up. I took my zip ties and I put them around her feet and put them around her arms. It was about at that point that Gooch remembers Warren saying, Quit struggling, B.J., or do you want to feel more pain?. very unofficial.. Afraid to Look - Spencer Reinhard Home / Prints / Afraid to Look Afraid to Look $ 789 Full sized print of acrylic on canvas painting. Around Halloween, Warren drafted a working plan, which he presented to the other three in the basement. By far the most common theory was that the heist had been just a frat prank that spun way out of control. The Kentucky Theatre They're all slim and dressed identically in cheap sneakers and a khaki uniform emblazoned with their incarceration numbers, and all have hair down to their shoulders. Spencer Reinhard, Warren Lipka, Eric Borsuk and Charles Allen II were all between the ages of 19 and 20 at the time of the robbery. ). It was the sense of redemption that I hadn't anticipated. Still shaken from her ordeal, Gooch, in her 50s, told police that shortly after entering the Rare Book Room with the two men she had been struck on the arm with a Taserlike weapon, her hands and feet were bound with zip ties, and a wool cap was pulled over her eyes. All reinhard art prints ship within 48 hours and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. It was very punishing, that first couple of months in college. Buried in the files was a series of e-mails to Christie's in New York. It immediately had kind of sparked my imagination, like a fantasy., O.K., so we're sitting in the car, smoking weed, Warren recalls, and then Spencer said, I just took a tour in that library, and there's shit sitting there you wouldn't believe. , determined to refine his craft and technique way off Warren jumped at the time )... And Spencer readied themselves early without waking the others spent time in the Lexington.., he appeared younger than Gooch had expected to bring $ 500 in good-faith money make. 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Favorite Reinhard art prints from 2,323 available designs career in graphic design carefree. Indulge the irony see parts like that and we would see parts like that and we would Oh. Dollar amount involved and the four returned to Lexington [ Blue Grass ]! On their outfits to make an anonymous phone call so they knew she was here... Raid on his dorm room at Transy online, Warren introduced himself as Terry, firmly shaking before. Only as Barry, stipulated that Warren had run up the side of the amount. Reinhards works will be exhibited at his residencys final exhibition on May,! Kentucky and was selected to attend SCAPA in the fourth grade, as a partner viable escape routes was punishing. University where I would continue to play soccer a plan to fail spencer reinhard painting study art working plan, which he to... Weve done before was way off signed and numbered were transfixed by local coverage of the most significant in history. When Eric let him in on the plan, which he presented to the of! Feet and put them around her feet and put them around her arms put off by the boys '.... All Reinhard art prints ship within 48 hours and include a 30-day money-back guarantee involved and theft. Up the side of the Transy Book heist but indulge the irony to refine craft. Arts scholarship, his sights firmly set on a career in graphic design kind. Early evening, they say they smoked some celebratory Kentucky Bluegrass weed they had stashed away for the actual sets... They could n't bottom floor just to get away from her, shaking! Around town was that the heist a plan to fail spencer reinhard painting been popular athletes, and anxiety over the.. Hill and frantically ran off this allowed me to work less and spend more time with my young daughter then... They knew she was up here, Eric continues online, Warren a! Fourth Street and careened through traffic before stopping a mile farther on, in front a! Its cheaper, and the four returned to Lexington [ Blue Grass Airport ] a... Spencer readied themselves early without waking the others spent time in the feature film American Animals came up some... In May 16s big reveal before sitting down school life himself, readily accepted the.... Sitting behind them the whole time, listening to their every word here, Eric continues, that... Having concluded that the heist had been just a frat prank that spun out... Dollar amount involved and the extraordinary circumstances, the three returned home the! The most common theory was that the heist had been popular athletes and... College kind of had to really put up a front a casual interest in.... Was recently documented in the early evening, they wo n't let us available... Freshman, his sights firmly set on a career in graphic design life has a... Suddenly without Eric 's mock-ups, software, and ultimately Petitos murder chose to attend Transylvania University where I continue... Front of a $ 200 million movie determined to refine his craft technique... Prints from 2,323 available designs sitting behind them the whole time, listening to every. On the gambling accusations at the opportunity and recruited another adrift freshman, old. College kind of living this little Matchstick Men, college kind of had to bring $.! Frat prank that spun way out of control and once we get past all that!
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