UW–Madison Police Department

UWPD Seeks Help in Identifying Theft Suspect

  • Incident date: November 22, 2013, 12:00 am
  • Incident type: null
  • Location/address: Union South - 1308 Gallery

art suspectThe UW-Madison Police Departing is asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman who stole an expensive piece of artwork from Union South.

On Friday, November 22, Union South staff reported the theft to UWPD when they noticed the 9×12 inch painting missing from the wall within 1308 Gallery. The artwork was stolen on November 20 at approximately 12:00 P.M. The artwork is valued at $700.

UWPD was able to capture the act on camera with a nearby security camera – a photo of the theft suspect is below.

If you have any information about this crime, or the identity of the suspect, please call the UW-Madison Police Department at (608) 264-COPS.

12/3/13 UPDATE:

After a week of tips from the public about a stolen piece of art, taken roughly two weeks ago from Union South, the suspect in the case has been identified and the artwork has been recovered.

Numerous tips helped UW-Madison Police identify the suspect as Hildegard Neujahr, 66, of Madison. On Monday evening, Neujahr admitted to UWPD that she took the painting from Union South – but only to show her interior designer for color ideas in her home. She told officers she thought it was artwork done by a student, and therefore was acceptable to take. Officers advised her otherwise – and she was cited for misdemeanor theft. She was very cooperative with authorities.

Neujahr turned the piece of art over to UWPD, which will soon be returned to its home at Union South.

The UW-Madison Police Department would like to thank the public for their help in this case.