MIAMI — A Russian tourist is facing multiple felony charges after police say he stole a high-priced statue from a Miami art gallery and a rare bottle of wine from a restaurant this past Saturday.
Authorities said Stevan Milovanovic, 35, is accused of taking an art piece valued at approximately $40,000 from Galeries Bartoux Miami.
According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, officers responded to the gallery at 127 NE 40th St. in reference to a retail theft.
The report stated that surveillance footage showed Milovanovic entering and then walking through the gallery before heading toward the back, where the statue was displayed.
Police said he moved out of camera view in the area where the piece was located and later reappeared with a “noticeable bulge” inside his black jacket, consistent in size and shape with the stolen statue.
They said he then exited the gallery without paying and while still in possession of the concealed artwork.
Detectives later linked a red Jeep Wrangler to the investigation and placed a felony vehicle hit on the tag. On Sunday morning, a Miami Beach police officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
During an interview with detectives, Milovanovic waived his Miranda rights and admitted he had gone to an art gallery the day before his arrest and stolen a small statue, police said.
When shown photographs from the gallery’s surveillance footage, they said Milovanovic identified himself in the images and recognized the stolen statue.
In that case, jail records show he is facing one count of second-degree grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000.
In a separate case, Milovanovic is also accused of stealing a $16,000 bottle of wine from Sexy Fish, located at 1001 S. Miami Ave., later that same day.
According to an arrest report for that case, officers responded to the restaurant in reference to a burglary that had just occurred. Management reported a total loss of approximately $16,000 in stolen merchandise.
Police said Milovanovic and another man, Aleksandar Belic, 29, entered the restaurant as customers and were seated.
After placing food orders, they said Milovanovic got up from the table and went toward the restaurant’s wine cellar area, “which is restricted and not accessible to patrons.”
While inside without authorization, police said he removed a bottle of Monopole 1996 La Tache, valued at approximately $16,000, from a display shelf and concealed it inside his jacket.
They said he then removed another bottle and placed it where the stolen bottle had originally been displayed before leaving the restaurant. Belic later paid cash for the food order and left without eating the meal, according to the report.
License plate recognition cameras captured the Jeep leaving the area, and detectives later connected it to Milovanovic, the report stated.
During a post-Miranda interview, police said Milovanovic admitted to going to the restaurant the day before his arrest and stealing a bottle of wine from the wine cellar. He identified himself in surveillance images from inside the restaurant, authorities said.
In that case, he is facing one count each of burglary of an occupied structure and third-degree grand theft.
As of Monday morning, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”
Police have not said whether Belic will face any charges.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
