[CPProt.net] Priceless gold stolen from Maritime Museum

[MSN CPPnet]

 Priceless gold stolen from Maritime Museum
July 14, 2005

By Robin Holder
 

Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler said it was a "sad, sad day for
Bermuda" when authorities realised Tuesday that several priceless gold
artefacts from the days of exploration have been stolen from the Maritime
Museum in recent weeks.
The items are believed to have been taken from display cases sometime within
the last three weeks and include a gold nugget (circa 1621), a large round
gold ingot (circa 1595) and a gold chain (circa 1621).
Visitors to the Ireland Island museum reported to staff that several items
were missing from displays in the Treasury Room and Police were summoned
after 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Executive Director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum Dr. Edward Harris said:
"This is an unfortunate occurrence, it's the first time in 30 years that
this has happened."
He added: "The matter is under Police investigation and we will await the
outcome of their investigation before we issue a press release."
When asked if any steps would be taken to reviewing security at the museum
Dr. Harris said the museum would not make any decision on security until the
investigation has been concluded.
"This is a sad, sad day for Bermuda, I am absolutely horrified that
historical artefacts in Bermuda would disappear," Minister of Community
Affairs and Sport Dale Butler said.
He added: "It is recognised that Bermuda has numerous national treasures but
we need to increase security at the museum. We cannot tolerate this and we
hope the law prosecutes the guilty culprits to the highest."
The Minister said he hopes that if the culprits are Bermudian they will
rethink their actions and return the items and if they were stolen by
foreigners they would also rethink their actions and return the artefacts.
The Minister feels confident that the Bermuda Maritime Museum will do a fine
job in re-examining it's security protocols.
A Police Media Relations spokesman said: "We are taking this incident
seriously as we would like to see a happy conclusion. Whilst the theft of
historical items is serious, we are using all the resources we can to
recover these items."
It is believed that no outside investigators have been called in assist.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information about
this incident to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on
234-1010 or the confidential Crimestoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477. 

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/