[meteorite-list] Warning-- pallasite bandit on the lam

From: Darren Garrison <cynapse_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:46:31 -0500
Message-ID: <g7bcr55jravqq2bouf3f5sc6oqcdandqdm_at_4ax.com>

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100402/NEWS/304029983

Man on run after theft of space rock from Dungeness resident

By Tom Callis
Peninsula Daily News

DUNGENESS -- A man who allegedly stole a rare meteorite from a Dungeness
resident more than a year ago is on the run, according to the Clallam County
Sheriff's Office.

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Raymond R. Lima after he missed a
court appearance in February.

Lima, who is charged with first-degree theft, was scheduled to be tried in
Clallam County Superior Court on March 10.

"He could just be lying low on the radar," said Chief Criminal Deputy Ron
Cameron.

"He could be here. We don't know."

Lima, 34, of Sequim pleaded not guilty Dec. 18.

He was released on personal recognizance at that time.

Lima allegedly stole a 4.5-pound pallasite meteorite, which was in two pieces,
from Michael Pimentel in January 2009.

The space rock was discovered in Chile in the 19th century, said Pimentel, who
owns Eclipse Minerals in Dungeness.

Pimentel believes he traced the meteorite, worth $80,000, to Lima when a rare
rock and gem dealer in Arizona notified him he purchased one half of a pallasite
meteorite from Lima after he reported it missing.

The 2.25-pound rock matched the other half of the meteorite, Pimental believes,
based on a photograph.

It was returned to him, but the other half remains missing, he said.

Pimentel said pallasites are rare even for meteorites and are known for having
an abundance of translucent olivine crystals.

A few other items, including a small piece of a nantan meteorite and an Earth
rock known as a druzy agate geode, also went missing 15 months ago but have
since been returned by a Sequim man who had acquired them, he said.

Some Roman coins remain missing from that theft.

Pimentel said Lima, who was a fishing buddy of his, was the only other person
who knew where it was kept in his home.

He said Lima is likely either in Arizona, Seattle or somewhere on the North
Olympic Peninsula.

"I'd just like to get this guy caught," Pimentel said.
Received on Fri 02 Apr 2010 01:46:31 PM PDT