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Eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse that were stolen from a library in S\u00e3o Paulo have been recovered by police in Brazil.<\/b><\/p>\n
The works, which have a combined estimated worth of about $200,000 (\u00a3148,000), were found on Thursday at a home in the town of S\u00e3o Bernardo do Campo, a suburb to the south of the city. A 44-year-old male suspect was arrested at the scene.<\/p>\n
During the heist at Biblioteca M\u00e1rio de Andrade on 7 December last year, two thieves overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple who had been visiting the library, before making off with the artworks through the main entrance on foot.<\/p>\n
Three other people were previously arrested in relation to the case. <\/p>\n
Five engravings by the Brazilian artist Candido Portinari that were also taken during the robbery have not yet been recovered. Police in S\u00e3o Paulo said they suspected the works had been sold.<\/p>\n
Jo\u00e3o Paulo Linhares de Araujo, the man arrested on Thursday, is suspected by police of having stored the Matisse artworks on behalf of those accused of being involved in the theft, as well as illegal possession of a firearm.<\/p>\n
La\u00e9ssio Rodrigues de Oliveira, 53, described by Brazilian media as a prolific art thief, is suspected of having planned and directed the crime, according to Brazilian news outlet Globo.<\/p>\n
He has been in custody since April after being arrested in relation to another case.<\/p>\n
Another man and a woman have also been arrested over the library heist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n