'Irreplaceable': Thieves steal war veterans' donated items from Chilliwack museum
Volunteers with the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society are reeling after thieves broke into a military museum and stole irreplaceable items donated by war veterans and their families.
“It was very upsetting. I haven’t slept properly for the last couple for nights,” said Karen Gorden, vice-president of the society based in Chilliwack, B.C.
Eighteen bayonets from all over the world were taken along with an airsoft rifle that is inoperable and was on loan to the museum.
Some of the bayonets date back to the First World War.
"(The thieves) took a big grinder and ground right through our two front doors, took out the locking mechanism,” said the society's Jim Harris.
Then the thief or thieves used a hammer to shatter the glass case containing the bayonets, finishing the job in less than 15 minutes.
“These guys were professional…They knew what they were after for sure,” Harris said.
“They’re irreplaceable and I feel really upset for the families that had donated these things and now they’re gone,” Gorden added.
Volunteers speculate the items were stolen for someone’s private collection.
Gorden said she noticed a visitor last week who aroused suspicion by taking video inside the museum.
“We do have pictures of the guy at the door and that’s what we’re busy downloading and getting to the RCMP,” she explained, adding that the museum has security cameras.
Mounties are looking for anyone who might have surveillance footage from the area near Wellington Avenue and Mill Street early Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, volunteers hold out little hope that the items will be returned.
“Those items are probably long gone. I don’t hold much hope they’re in this area any longer,” said Harris.
“They are opportunists and they’re taking advantage of our poor veterans who have loaned or donated these items to us. They’ve served their country. And to have this done to them is just another kick,” he said.
The non-profit society said it’s not certain how it will cover the costs of the broken door and glass repairs.
Anyone who can help, is asked to contact the organization.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.