FBI says it has identified the thieves in Gardner Museum heist

The FBI believes members of an East Coast criminal gang are responsible for the 1990 theft of $500 million in art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Officials today offered a $5 million reward for help in recovering the items.

Richard Deslauriers of the FBI said Monday that the agency has identified the thieves in the 1990 Gardner Museum heist.

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

Richard Deslauriers of the FBI said Monday that the agency has identified the thieves in the 1990 Gardner Museum heist.

“I think we’re all optimistic that one day soon the paintings would be returned to their rightful place,” US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said.

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

“I think we’re all optimistic that one day soon the paintings would be returned to their rightful place,” US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said.

There is a $5 million reward offered in the case for information leading to the recovery of the items in good condition.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff/File 1996

There is a $5 million reward offered in the case for information leading to the recovery of the items in good condition.

Clockwise from left, “The storm on the Sea of Galilee” by Rembrandt, “Chez Tortoni” by Manet, and “La sortie de pesage” by Edgar Degas.

File photos

Clockwise from left, “The storm on the Sea of Galilee” by Rembrandt, “Chez Tortoni” by Manet, and “La sortie de pesage” by Edgar Degas.

Now 46 and living in Vermont, Richard Abath was a struggling musician moonlighting as a guard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when it was robbed in 1990.

Matthew Cavanaugh for The Boston Globe

Now 46 and living in Vermont, Richard Abath worked as a guard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when it was robbed in 1990.

Authorities searched the Connecticut home of reputed mobster Robert Gentile in May 2012, but did not find the artworks.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe File

Authorities searched the Connecticut home of reputed mobster Robert Gentile in May 2012, but did not find the artworks.

Clockwise from left, “The storm on the Sea of Galilee” by Rembrandt, “Chez Tortoni” by Edouard Manet, and “La sortie de pesage” by Edgar Degas.

audio gallery

Learn about the stolen masterpieces

Globe critic Sebastian Smee delves into the significance of each of the 13 valuable works of art stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Republicans offer harsh critique of Romney campaign

In one of the most comprehensive dissections of the 2012 election, the Republican Party found that Mitt Romney’s campaign was marred by a “long list” of blunders.

Forecasters warn of snow and freezing rain

Heavy snow early Tuesday will transition to freezing rain by the afternoon as a coastal storm moves across Southern New England.

Defendant Christian Gerhartsreiter listened to the prosecutor during his murder trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

‘Rockefeller’ murder trial begins in California

The man who for years masqueraded on the East Coast as “Clark Rockefeller” is charged with killing his landlord in 1985.

LeBron James and the Heat are bringing a 22-game win streak into Boston on Monday.

Celtics out to stop Heat’s 22-game win streak

Something has to give. The Celtics have won 11 straight at home. The Heat haven’t lost in weeks. The rivals meet Monday in Boston.

Sports

Tags in this section:

Kraft says Patriots wanted Welker back

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he wanted to re-sign receiver Wes Welker, but “in the end we have to have certain limits and restraints.”

Nation & World

Tags in this section:

Globe Insiders

Photo Gallery | From the Archives

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/03/14/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/stpatrick011-994.jpg St. Patrick’s Day parades

What began as an observation of the anniversary of Evacuation Day in 1901 morphed along the way into a celebration of Boston’s Irish traditions.