Burglars stole thousands of dollars in supplies from North Texas muralist Juan Velazquez, delaying projects.
DALLAS — A prolific North Texas muralist had his work put on pause after burglars took off with thousands of dollars worth of supplies from his studio.
Juan Velazquez is known for his work, which can be seen on walls across Dallas and Fort Worth. Some of his recent murals include one of Luka Doncic and another of 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, the Gainesville girl who died after an attempted suicide in February.
But Velazquez’s future projects are on hold, for now, after burglars stole several tools and supplies from his studio.
“They probably stole about $3000 worth of stuff, maybe $2500 worth of stuff,” Velazquez told WFAA.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to a burglary call at the studio off Fabrication Street Sunday afternoon. Velazquez posted surveillance video of the theft online, asking the community for help in tracking the people involved down. He told WFAA that two men smashed a window to enter the building and stole power tools, cameras, batteries and other art equipment.
Velazquez said he shares the studio with a friend and fellow artist, Armando Aguirre. Velazquez said that though he primarily paints murals, he uses the studio space to store his ladders, paint and other tools.
“It’s a setback,” Velazquez said. “It’s not an extremely major setback for us, but it is a setback…”
Velazquez, who said he makes money through private commissions and community-funded projects, said two of his projects are delayed because of the break-in. Still, Velazquez says he’ll be back to work soon.
The first project is a mural dedicated to Fort Worth rapper G$ Lil Ronnie and his 5-year-old daughter, who were gunned down at a car wash in Forest Hill. Velazquez said he is still dedicated to completing the mural, but it will be pushed back “a few days.”
The muralist’s other delayed project is a statement piece for the Dallas Mavericks, which echoes the calls of the fan base. Velazquez said the Oak Cliff mural will be of a Mavs cap, but the logo will be covered with duct tape with the words “Fire Nico” written onto it.
“Fire Nico” has been a rallying cry for Mavericks fans since the Luka Doncic trade. That two-word phrase has spread like wildfire and was chanted in some pretty unexpected places. With Luka Doncic coming back to Dallas for the first time since the trade on Wednesday, April 9, the mural is a timely reminder of the vitriol many fans have held onto since the deal.
“You know, we’re just basically expressing the way a lot of people feel, you know. I know a lot of people think, ‘Oh, just get over already,'” Velazquez said. “There’s a lot of people… they’re still not over it, and they feel the way I feel.”
