Burglars take antiques from Owen Museum in Chattaroy

Burglars struck the Owen Museum in Chattaroy over the weekend and carted away the contents of three display cases, including one that contained 30 antique gold frames.

The museum owner told deputies that the burglary took place between 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday.

The losses were extensive, but the owner won’t know a dollar figure until a full inventory can be completed, Spokane sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

The Owen Museum is an old farm site, and the buildings contain thousands of items from the 1800s and early 1900s, Reagan said.

Among the items taken were the gold frames, 40 antique tobacco pipes, gold currency and tax tokens, Reagan said. The museum is at 29600 N. Regal Road.

At least one of the burglars was cut by broken glass. Deputy Curt Quaschnick found blood evidence and fingerprints. He also confiscated bolt cutters, a screwdriver and other items the burglars left behind, Reagan said.

Two sets of footprints were found in heavy dust. The burglars moved several items and smashed many antiques, Reagan said.

Anyone with information regarding the burglary is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.