Thieves hit geology museum
NEWTOWN - An assortment of geology specimens and gems were stolen in broad daylight when thieves targeted the geology museum housed in Museum Africa.
According to deputy director of Arts and Culture, Alba Letts, it was unclear whether the theft was an opportunistic crime or if it had been commissioned.
“The specimens and gems are unique. They formed part of the natural museum collection and cannot be replaced. There may be similar examples that the museum could acquire, budget permitting, but we will never be able to replace these particular examples,” said Letts.
The value of the stolen items was not disclosed, due to the possibility of increasing the risk to the other collections.
The museum beefed up security during working hours by bringing in more security guards, and removed the remainder of the targeted display.
“The remainder was placed back into the safe and into secure storage, and a new, temporary exhibition has been put in its place. Additional securing and locking mechanisms were installed in the display cases. This new financial year will see additional security measures put in place,” she said.
Letts expressed hope that the motive for the theft would become clear once the police investigation was complete, and added that the museum’s geology society and other associations had circulated images of the stolen items.
“This will assist us in retrieving any of the items if they are ever offered for sale to commercial buyers or collectors,” she said.
