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Art thieves get prison sentence

By AP/KWMU

St. Louis, MO – A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced two art thieves to prison for stealing works by some of the world's most notable artists.

Donald Roland Rasch and Biron Valier, of suburban St. Louis, must also pay back a combined $1.1 million in restitution.

Rasch and Valier pleaded guilty to taking paintings, prints and sculptures while working for an art storage company in the St. Louis area.

Federal prosecutors said the two men stole artworks valued at $4 million from 2002-2004. The items were traced to buyers in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and St. Louis.

Rasch was sentenced to two years in prison. Valier got a term of 90 days, followed by six months of home confinement and three years of supervision.

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