[meteorite-list] BOLO- Stolen USU Meteorites

From: Barrett <BarrettWF_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:16:01 -0600
Message-ID: <00da01cc27cc$bf7131e0$3e5395a0$_at_net>

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=15818889&nid=148 <?-- link to the story and video!


Mammoth teeth, meteorites stolen from USU geology building
June 3rd, 2011 _at_ 12:45pm
By Mary Richards
LOGAN, UTAH -- Police are trying to track down a man suspected of stealing an estimated $3,000 worth of minerals, meteorites and mammoth teeth from the geology department at Utah State University.
Department head David Liddell said the thief smashed through a basement window of the Geology Building last Saturday night and stole items from several glass cases -- leaving behind some blood. Among the items lost -- 10 fossils, 25 minerals and an iMac computer and printer.
"These are rocks and minerals which are pretty heavy," said Liddell. "They would be hard to carry off. But we did lose somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 worth of specimens."
"If someone sees an individual with a dozen samples of fluorite sitting out, they could be a good suspect. Also if they see a mammoth tooth or Macedon tooth -- these are large elephant teeth -- that would be a pretty suspicious thing." -Dave Liddell
Police were able to get a description of the suspect. According to Liddell, a doctorate student saw a thin man about 6 feet 3 inches tall with dark eyes enter the building Saturday night. Police say he was wearing a green and white beanie and had cuts on his face -- possibly from breaking through glass.
Liddell says the person responsible likely doesn't have much expertise in the field of geology. Most of the items stolen were common minerals that could be found along the side of the road, while several valuable items -- such as a large mammoth tusk believed to be from the Ice Age -- were left behind.
"Maybe it's just these were pretty samples and now this person has them on their dinner table or bookshelf at home," Liddell said.
For now, Liddell says department officials are monitoring websites to see if any of the items are posted for sale. He is asking the public to keep an eye out as well.
"If someone sees an individual with a dozen samples of fluroite sitting out, they could be a good suspect," he said. "Also if they see a mammoth tooth or Macedon tooth -- these are large elephant teeth -- that would be a pretty suspicious thing."
The geology department is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.


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Received on Fri 10 Jun 2011 08:16:01 PM PDT