HIMALAYAN ART PILFERED

in broad daylight, two pieces of art were stolen from the nicholas roerich museum, a small space on west 107th street near riverside drive dedicated to the eponymous russian painter.

police said that one or more people stole a piece of artwork from the museum during business hours on june 24 and 28. the "himalayan tempra" and an oil painting of the talung monastery were stolen.

the museum, which opened in 1958, has more than 200 pieces of roerich's art permanently on display.

dan entin, who has been director for 25 years, said he was horrified at the theft.

"all museum directors worry about that," entin said. "but nothing ever was stolen from here in the 30 years i've been around here." police ask anyone with tips to call 1-800-577-tips.