SHORT TAKES : Traffic Stop Yields Stolen Art

Eight stolen works by the French artist Henri Matisse were recovered today when police pulled over a man for a routine check and found the art rolled up on the back seat of his car, police sources said.

Franck Cochet was held for questioning in the theft of the five oil paintings, two drawings and one engraving, which were valued at $12.5 million, the sources said. They were reported missing on Dec. 29. Cochet, 24, was recognized by police officers who knew him from previous theft and drug cases, police sources said. The works, including the well-known paintings “View Over Collioure Port,” “Woman in Brittany” and “Devilacqua,” were taken from the apartment where Matisse lived until his death in 1954.