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SBSO IDENTIFIES SUSPECT IN PAINTING THEFT; ISSUES WARRANT FOR SECOND
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the recent theft of a valuable painting in Arabi, and has issued an arrest warrant for a second, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Michael Ostrager, 27, of the 1400 block of Broadway Street in New Orleans, is currently in custody in Orleans Parish and will be booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison on charges of simple burglary and illegal possession of stolen things valued between $5,000 and $25,000.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Harley Brown, 35, of New Orleans, on the same charges. Brown is also known to go by Harley Phillips.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Sheriff Pohlmann said detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified of a burglary that occurred sometime during the previous week in the 7200 block of North Peters Street in Arabi.
During the investigation, detectives determined a painting valued at $7,500 had been stolen from the location. The artwork, titled “Dueling Oak New Orleans City Park,” took a local artist more than a year to complete. Detectives also discovered multiple areas of the building had been recently defaced with graffiti and determined it was connected to the theft.
Following the Sheriff’s Office’s initial release, the painting was returned to the location from which it was taken. Through the use of video surveillance, detectives were able to identify the individuals responsible, leading to Ostrager’s arrest and the issuance of a warrant for Brown.
The investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Harley Brown, also known as Harley Phillips, or any information related to this incident is asked to contact the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS (8477), or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward through Crimestoppers.
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