Wily Burglars Nab Cartoon Art Worth $24,500

Burglars who broke into an animation art gallery apparently knew exactly what they wanted when they took a bronze sculpture of Wile E. Coyote and an oil painting of Pepe LePew worth a total of $24,500, police said.

But the artist, Looney Tunes illustrator and director Chuck Jones of Newport Beach, received news of the thefts with aplomb.

“It’s probably the first time anybody’s ever stolen a skunk,” said Jones, 79. “On the other hand, Pepe’s probably the most famous skunk in the world.”

The thefts occurred shortly before midnight Sunday when burglars broke a front window of the Chuck Jones Showroom, owned by Jones’ daughter. The alarm went off immediately, but when police arrived, the burglars had vanished.

In their haste, the thieves dropped an oil painting of the famous coyote valued at about $20,000.

Linda Jones, the owner who distributes her father’s art to 100 galleries across the country, said it was the first time that his creations have been targeted.

“I loved that painting,” she said of the stolen oil titled “Pepe in Tulips.” “Pepe’s always been a favorite. I hope it’s gone to someone who loves it dearly.”

The oil painting showed Pepe LePew lying on his back in a bed of tulips and was valued at $20,000. The two-feet-tall bronze sculpture depicted Wile E. Coyote chasing his archrival, the Road Runner. It was priced at $4,500.

Jones, who created all three characters for Warner Bros. studios, said the loss could have been worse.

“A few years ago, an artist friend had someone break into his studio,” Jones said. “The thief knocked all of the paintings out of the frames and stole the frames. Now that’s a blow to your ego.”

Linda Jones said she has seen the value of her father’s work skyrocket in recent years. The Corona del Mar gallery, which deals almost exclusively in Jones’ art, has been “very successful” since opening just more than a year ago, she said.

“There has been enormous response to his work over the years,” she said. “I guess nostalgia is the word that applies. His art brings back so many happy times that people have felt over their childhood.”

Chuck Jones is a 1931 graduate of the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. He began his animation career during the Great Depression as a celluloid washer for the Ub Iwerks Studio in Beverly Hills but went on to draw and direct Looney Tunes cartoons for Warner Bros.

He has won three Oscars, a Peabody Award and the ASIFA/Hollywood’s Annie Award in addition to receiving honors from film institutes throughout the world.

His most famous creation has been Wile E. Coyote, a skinny coyote with an enduring fixation on the Road Runner.

Jones quoted philosopher George Santayana to describe the coyote and his eternal, yet futile chase: “One who redoubles his effort after he loses sight of his goal.”

Several other expensive paintings of Wile E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and other beloved cartoon characters have been removed from the gallery’s walls for safekeeping. In addition to the larger pieces, the gallery sells the original cartoon drawings on film acetate and line drawings.

Linda Jones said police told her that a fan may have contracted to have the art stolen.

“It’s kind of strange, but I’m kind of touched somebody would care enough to steal it,” Linda Jones said. “I don’t want to give any other criminals any ideas, but if someone loves the art enough to take it this way, that says something wonderful about Chuck’s work, too.”