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Ancient shells stolen from HPO
Three ancient shells under the care of the Historic Preservation Office and considered priceless have been stolen.
The CNMI Department of Public Safety received the 911 call reporting the theft incident on Thursday, Aug. 8, at approximately 2pm.
According to a police statement yesterday,
Police officers met with the caller, who is an HPO employee on Capitol Hill, who told them that the three ancient shells were missing from a selection that was due for repair.
The employee stated that the shells had been placed on a table while awaiting an individual to repair some parts of the shells. Since the individual was not able to come in, the employee began to put the shells back in their assigned location for safekeeping. When the inventory was found to be three shells short, the employee called 911 for police assistance.
It was also mentioned that the shells were discovered at an archaeological site in Garapan in 1994. Given the historical value, the shells are considered priceless.
This case remains ongoing and the public’s help is being sought in the matter If you have any information on the whereabouts of the shells, call 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, call the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272. (PR)
