The Southampton Village Police are reaching out for the public's help to catch an art thief, or thieves, who stole more than $250,000 worth of paintings from a village estate earlier this month.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered through Suffolk County Crime Stoppers, an arm of the Suffolk County Police Department that offers cash for tips that lead to an arrest.

Det. Sgt. Herman Lamison of the village police said he has also been in talks with the FBI to aid in the investigation.

According to a press release from Crime Stoppers, the original count of 12 missing paintings from the residence on Captains Neck Lane has been bumped up to 13. The art includes works by Frederick H. McDuff, Jean Duffy, Jacques Martin-Ferrieres, Howard Behrens and Lucien Nuequelman. An earlier release mentioned painters Pierre Bittar and C. Everley.

Police said the burglary occurred between 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 and before noon on Feb. 7 at the home of Jo Hallingby, the widow of late Bear Stearns executive Paul Hallingby Jr.

Police are encouraging anyone with information about this crime to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS.  All calls will be kept confidential, according to police.