Police investigate Warhol prints stolen from business and replaced with copies

In the last couple of months, a business in Los Angeles has become aware that 9 Andy Warhol prints hanging in their office are fakes and that the originals have been stolen.

The situation is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department's Art Theft Detail unit.

In an affidavit filed with the court, 6 of the pieces are identified as belonging to the artist's 'Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century' series, produced in 1980.

The remaining works were made as part of the 1983 'Endangered Species' group.

Combined, their value is estimated at $350,000.

When the theft occurred is unknown, but it is believed to have happened in the past 3 years based on an examination of the replacement prints.

It is during this time that the originals were likely removed and replaced with color copies.

The swap went unnoticed until this past July when 2 of the works were sent for reframing.

A person at the shop noticed the absence of both edition numbering and the artist's signature.

Also observed was a blurry quality in the fake prints.

The investigation has turned up a promising lead.

In late 2011, an auction house sold a work resembling one of the stolen pieces, and details surrounding the sale are being examined.