Connecticut woman accused of stealing dozens of paintings

(Connecticut - WABC, November 8, 2007) (WABC) -- A 52-year-old Connecticut woman has been accused of stealing dozens of paintings and stashing them in her house.

Police say Diane Catalani, of Waterbury, has been charged with stealing paintings from Chase Collegiate School and a private club.

Authorities say they tracked the woman after she tried to walk out with a $36,000 painting at the school on Monday and fled after she was confronted. The headmaster of the school jotted down her license plate and police showed up at her doorstep.

After getting a search warrant for the Catalani home, police said they seized 150 paintings, an antique teapot, a clock taken from the Naugatuck Historical Society and two crucifixes.

Police also recovered a 150-year-old Bible once owned by Charles Goodyear that was stolen in June from the Naugatuck Historical Society.

"None of us have seen something like this," Sgt. Duane Tedesco, supervisor of the burglary squad, said Wednesday.

Police said there is no evidence Catalani broke into homes. The investigation shows she took paintings from places with public access, such as museums, churches and libraries.

Catalani's husband, Fred, said that he knew his wife hoarded all sorts of items picked up at tag sales and thought that all the paintings that filled the house were just part of that collection of items.

"The hard part is I missed it," he said. "I never thought she was stealing."

Fred Catalani said his wife suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Diane Catalani was being held on $1 million bond at York Correctional Facility in Niantic following her arraignment on a charge of second-degree larceny Wednesday.

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