[MSN] Agencies discuss artifact thefts

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Agencies discuss artifact thefts

CRIME: Kenneth Ortiz of Medina to face indictment for Lockport theft.
By Tasha Kates/katest at gnnewspaper.com

The calls are still coming in about artifacts discovered missing from various area organizations.

“We are looking at multiple items over a ton of jurisdictions all over Western New York,” said Orleans County Sheriff’s Investigator Kenneth Strickland. “There are a lot of artifacts out there that are unaccounted for.”

There have been so many reported incidents that law enforcement officials are looking into pursuing the case on a federal level within the next week. Over 450 items from Western New York have been recovered from Orleans alone.

On June 29, members of the Niagara County Historical Society discovered two Presidential Medals of Honor were ripped off the walls. Other historical artifacts also were reported stolen from Medina, Evans and Palmyra within the last few months.

“We’ll arrest who we can, Lockport will arrest who they can,” Strickland said. “It’s part of the whole issue we’re sitting down and talking about.”

Three brothers from Orleans County have already been accused in the case. Michael Ortiz of Albion; Roy Ortiz of Albion; and Kenneth Ortiz of Medina; were all charged in August with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

According to Detective Capt. Lawrence Eggert, Kenneth Ortiz will be going in front of a Niagara County grand jury for the thefts from the Lockport museum.

“It should happen in the very near future,” Eggert said.

Kenneth and Michael Ortiz are still incarcerated at Orleans County Jail.

Both Eggert and Strickland said they don’t intend to charge anyone else in connection with the cases at the moment. However, Strickland said he is looking into some possible associates of the Ortiz brothers who may have some of the items.

Last month, Lockport’s Detective Lt. Richard Podgers traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to retrieve some of the items bought by a former Middleport resident. Podgers said the man claimed he did not know the medals and other items were stolen when he bought them.

Strickland said the suspects allegedly went after smaller organizations that often didn’t have surveillance.

“They weren’t as slick as you would think,” Strickland said. “They signed in under false names and used red and blue Cavaliers. In some instances, they would grab something that you’d have to stretch your arms around to pick up.”

The items were then sold to other antique dealers and auctioned off on eBay. Officials are not sure how much money was made off the sales.

Strickland urged those who have artifacts on display to check their inventory in case items were taken without their knowledge.

Contact Tasha Katesat 439-9222, Ext. 62411

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