Vaccaro was arrested on the spot. I am happy the painting is back in the museum. He just wanted a finder's fee as well. After all, if it hadn't been for Vaccaro's astuteness, the portrait might never have been recovered at all. According to Chicago-based art theft attorney Thaddeus J. Stauber, while stolen property in general should be returned with or without reward, there is an even greater responsibility to return stolen art unconditionally.
Every piece of art is unique, there is only one, created in time.
In that sense, art is irreplaceable. And therefore, there is a higher ethical demand to get it to its owner. In 1972, Msg. Thomas Campbell, pastor of the now-defunct St. John's Moda Christi RC Parish in Queens, N.Y., gave the painting to the school art teacher, Sister Rose Mary Phol. Campbell, now 85, has told Customs investigators that he can't recall how he came to be in possession of the painting, but he guesses that a parishioner may have given it to him.