[MSN] nEW Zealand. Development in hunt for stolen medals

[MSN]

'Development' in hunt for stolen medals
11:26AM Saturday February 16, 2008

Police have called a news conference over "a development" in the theft of
military medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum.

The press conference will be held at Palmerston North later this afternoon.

Police National Headquarters spokesman Jon Neilson told NZPA there had been
a "development."

The 96 medals - including nine Victoria Crosses - were stolen from the
museum in the early hours of December 2.

A $300,000 reward - the largest in New Zealand - was offered by British
medal collector Lord Michael Ashcroft and an anonymous New Zealand
businessman.

The reward was three times the highest previous reward offered by police.

The Victoria Cross medals taken in the heist, included those of World War 2
soldier Captain Charles Upham, the only man to ever win two VCs.

The medals are considered to be worth several millions of dollars. Victoria
Crosses are valued at about $500,000. Two rare George Crosses, an Albert
Medal and a Distinguished Conduct Medal were among the others taken.


- NZPA