Thieves haul $100,000 worth of antiques from closed shop

Written by Associated Press

Thursday, 05 January 2012 09:57

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – The owner of a closed-up antique shop south of Palmer is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of thieves who emptied out his business.

Bill Lowe tells KTUU-TV that thieves took antique bicycles, Alaska native dolls, Fur Rendezvous memorabilia, a mastodon tooth and other items totaling $100,000 from the rustic roadside complex near Mile 37.5 Glenn Highway.

The shop had been closed for years. Lowe has been in Minnesota caring for his wife, who died recently of brain cancer.

Alaska State Trooper investigators say thieves probably hauled items away last week in a truck.

Lowe says he and his son had planned to move back to reopen the shop.

He is asking friends to watch for the stolen items on online sales sites.

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Information from: KTUU-TV, http://www.ktuu.com

AP-WF-01-04-12 1403GMT