Thieves grab 9 Banksy prints from U.K. gallery

Sussex Police are investigating the theft of paintings by guerrilla artist Banksy from a private gallery in Brighton, U.K.

The limited edition prints were taken in two raids, both in the early morning hours, on May 20 and May 24.

Ten prints were stolen, nine of them by Banksy. They have been valued at about $21,000.

Police said it appeared the gallery had been "purposely targeted for the Banksy works."

Banksy, an elusive artist who doesn't make his real name known, has sold work for thousands of pounds.

But since he does much of his painting on walls or other objects, his prints are both rare and desirable.

Among the Banksy works stolen were prints of Morons, Jack & Jill, Virgin Mary, Napalm and Gangsta Rat.

The other work stolen was Reservoir Troopers by Scrawl Collective, which police believe may have been mistaken for a Banksy.

The thieves, believed to be two men, smashed a window to gain access to the gallery.