Duo accused of bumbling attempted art heist

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A bumbling attempted art heist in downtown Houston has landed two men in jail today. Overnight, police say Austin Brown and Juan Noriega tried to steal a piece of artwork from Alonti Deli located in the downtown tunnel system in the 600 block of Travis. According to sources, the artwork is more like a large graphic print and was in a unsecured back hallway next to Alonti.

At some point around midnight the duo Brown and Noriega allegedly stole the large print and tried to take it out of the building. However, Houston police say the print was so large it got stuck in the doorway. Police say the duo then left. Police were called and at some point while the police were present investigating this theft, the two reportedly returned to the scene. They were then promptly arrested by Houston police and will most likely be charged with theft.

Alonti Deli personnel did not want to comment on camera. However sources tell us the print itself was not even hanging inside the deli, which is locked overnight. The downtown Houston tunnel system is open to the public. This unsecured hallway is where the artwork was located.

The large print has since been returned to the company.