Some stolen hand-carved native masks have been returned to the owner, after having been purchased at the Abbotsford Flea Market.
Chilliwack RCMP previously reported that several masks, as well as native gold and silver jewelry worth more than $25,000, had been stolen during a home break-in.
Last Thursday (April 12), a man came to the front counter of the Chilliwack RCMP detachment with some masks he had purchased a month ago at the local flea market.
He saw media reports about the theft and believed the masks he had bought were the ones that had been stolen.
Corp. Tammy Hollingsworth said although many of the other stolen items are still missing, the family was grateful that the man came forward.
“These masks have such spiritual and sentimental value,” she said. “The man who turned in these masks obviously appreciated them and paid several hundred dollars for them, but he knew they were of value to someone else … and wanted them returned to the rightful owner.”
The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
