Lombi asked this question on the artcone forums: Police in Australia are warning art dealers about purchasing aboriginal works because of a series of robberies at several galleries in Melbourne.

Melbourne police are investigating a series of burglaries dating back to December 2005 at aboriginal galleries. In total, works worth more than $250,000 Australian ($227,300 Cdn) have been taken.

Police say the latest raid occurred at the Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia on Feb. 1. Two men smashed a front window, stealing several works, including two paintings worth $40,000 each ($36,370 Cdn).

“It’s believed these same thieves attended this gallery a year earlier when $120,000 worth of Aboriginal paintings were stolen in February,” a police spokesman told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Police say they believe the same thieves broke into another gallery on Jan. 9. Also, on Jan. 19, 20 unframed works were taken from the High on Art Aboriginal Gallery.

“This gallery was also broken into in October 2006 and December 2005. … To date the total value of these thefts has reached $100,000,” said the police spokesman.