He showed the picture to an antique‑dealer friend, who thought it might be the Picasso etching reported stolen from Bill DeLind’s gallery. Dertz then turned the print over to Milwaukee police on Aug. 5.

The police sent the work to an authenticator, who confirmed the next day that it was the signed 1949 Picasso etching "Torero" that had been reported stolen on Feb. 16, 2018. The piece is one of only 30 copies signed by Picasso.

Bill DeLind, who runs DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, recognized the print immediately because his appraisal sticker was still attached to the back. He said the artwork had been valued at $35,000‑$50,000 when it was taken.

The etching now stays in police custody while the owner works out insurance matters. The case shows how an alert community member can help recover stolen art even years after the theft.