Library offers reward for stolen Civil War items
A reward has been offered in hopes of finding the thief or thieves responsible for stealing thousands of dollars in Civill War memorabilia from Magness Library earlier this month.
The library has put up $200 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who stole the artifacts from two display cases in the library’s Carrier Room.
“We know it’s not a big amount but we’re hoping this will bring the case back to the public’s attention,” said McMinnville Police Investigator Mike Vann, who is heading the probe. “We do have suspects but we have not been able to make any arrests.”
The suspects to whom Vann referred were caught reaching inside one of the display cases. However, no one saw them take anything and a search of their vehicle netted nothing. The suspects have denied taking the items, but did not deny reaching inside the case.
According to library historian Brad Walker, the pieces taken from a pair of locked display cases were all Civil War-era items, including a Confederate saber, scabbard and dress sword. Also taken were a repeating rifle and a shotgun, both over 150 years old, along with a side-by-side shotgun and rifle.
Estimated to be worth around $15,000, Vann said the stolen items are yet to surface, something which is not a big surprise since they are unique and could raise suspicion.
“I think whoever took them knows they are very hot right now and they’re keeping a low profile,” Vann said. “We’ve kept in contact with collectors to see if there’s been anything put on the market lately.”