Man indicted for allegedly stealing portrait of Jean-Michel Basquiat from Brooklyn art gallery

Louis Lassalle, 49, faces burglary, robbery and a slew of other charges for allegedly trying to run off with the high-priced painting from the Cotton Candy Machine art gallery in Williamsburg.

Sean Leonard, co-owner of the Cotton Candy Machine art gallery, stands with a painting of famed painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, which is valued at $10,000. On March 1, he chased a man who tried stealing the painting until cops arrived.

The less-than master thief who tried to run off with a high-priced painting from a Brooklyn art gallery is facing a slew of charges, officials said Monday.

Louis Lassalle was indicted for stealing the portrait by Amar Stewart of famed painter Jean-Michel Basquiat valued at $10,000 from a Williamsburg art gallery on March 1.

"The brazen nature of the theft of this artwork, whether from a business, a home, or anywhere in our community, will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Ken Thompson in a statement.

Sean Leonard, co-owner of the Cotton Candy Machine gallery in Williamsburg, 

noticed three paintings by artist Amar Stewart had been stolen from a back room.

The gallery owner found Lassalle on Metropolitan Ave., took back the painting and 

chased the thief until cops came.

Lassalle, 49, faces burglary, robbery and a slew of other charges.