[MSN] Museum theft. PORT HARDY - A smash and grab rampage reached Port Hardy and District Museum sometime overnight on Sept. 29, police report.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Thieves hit museum 

 
Bruce Winfield photo 

Port Hardy museum Curator Jane Hutton was greeted by this when she went to
work on Thursday morning.

Photo:
http://www.northislandgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=21&cat=23&id=1
057086&more=0

By Bruce Winfield
Gazette staff

Sep 06 2007


PORT HARDY - A smash and grab rampage reached Port Hardy and District Museum
sometime overnight on Sept. 29, police report. 

"They took 10 pieces worth $1,500 from the museum," said Cst. Jamie
Belleville. "They knew what they were looking for." 

While Belleville did not know if all the smash and grabs have been done by
the same person, he did say there have been "many, many break-ins to
businesses" where rocks were thrown through windows by thieves who ran with
whatever was easiest. 

"It's always the same smash and grab MO and it's always overnight," says
Belleville. "I've never seen anything like it." 

In this case, the jewellery stolen all has a whale and eagle motif. Seven
bracelets were stolen, a watch with an eagle carving, a set of earrings with
a raven carved and one single earring, says Belleville. 

"Anyone with knowledge of unique jewellery being sold or bought should call
police at 949-6335 and ask for me," said Belleville. 

Police are focusing on the smash and grab break and enters, and are
determined to catch those responsible, and have increased patrols, said
Belleville. 

"Anyone with information on any of the break and enters can call the
detachment," he says. 

Just the same, business owners can help themselves. "Businesses are
encouraged to leave lights on and hide valuables," he said. Businesses are
encouraged to look out for each other. 

At the museum, Curator Jane Hutton was shocked by the theft. 

"It happened after 5 p.m. on Wednesday and was first noted by Paul Unwin,"
said Hutton. "Several rocks were thrown through the window, they broke down
the door glass completely and climbed through the small hole." 

While the event bothered her, Hutton was also relieved the person or persons
did not damage the irreplaceable exhibits inside the museum. 

"I'm shocked but it could have been much worse," she said. "Thank God they
did not destroy everything in the museum." 

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