FInal museum pieces recovered at UBC

RCMP investigators have recovered the last two of 12 Bill Reid pieces stolen from the UBC Museum of Anthropology in May 2008.

The gold eagle brooch was recovered intact, while the carved argillite pipe was recovered with approximately two inches of it broken off and it remains missing. For reasons that would negatively impact the investigation, the RCMP were not in a position to release this information sooner.

Police are continuing their investigation, and are in the process of completing a report to Crown Counsel outlining all of the circumstances surrounding the break-and-enter and theft. Although the RCMP are pleased that they have been able to recover all the stolen pieces, they are seeking any information which will lead to the recovery of the broken-off piece of the carved argillite pipe.

Anyone who has any information as to the whereabouts of this piece is asked to contact 778.886.2870 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.

All of the recovered Bill Reid pieces have been returned to the UBC Museum of Anthropology. They are being examined to determine suitability for exhibition when the Museum re-opens in March 2009 after a six-month closure for renovations. Three Mexican jewelery pieces, heavily damaged, remain in police hands.

UBC Museum of Anthropology will be closed Sept. 2 - March 3, 2008 for "innovations"
Photo by Sue Frause