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CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Police are searching for suspects who they say broke into a Chandler home and stole over $100,000 worth of art and other collectables.
According to the Chandler Police Department, the theft happened on August 5 at a home near Galveston and Dobson.
Police say a total of 24 statues were stolen, from one-to-four-feet tall. Many of the statues are made of bronze, weighing up to 400 pounds.
"Very bizarre and vary unique," said Sgt. Daniel Mejia with Chandler Police.
Police say the statues are valued at $103,000 and will be difficult to sell at a pawn shop.
"They're bronze statues of either Native American or cowboy figurines, and these range anywhere from a foot tall to five foot tall, so you can imagine these are very heavy, very valuable, so our investigators believe the person responsible for this did not act alone," said Sgt. Mejia.
"Native American items right now are definitely on the incline, they're heading up in value," said Eric Hoyer, CEO of EJ's Auction in Glendale. He said although the items are valuable, it will be difficult for the suspects to resell them, as many of the pieces are numbered, and easily traceable.
"It's not something you're going to see hit the open market, cause it has no value," said Hoyer. "Soon as it hits the open market, we're going to know. Everybody's going to know those items are stolen."
Sgt. Mejia says the family is just hoping to get the art back.
"These items have been in the collection for quite some time," said Sgt. Mejia. "They do have quite a bit of sentimental value."
Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).