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  Armstrong Air & Space (Ohio): Theft of gold LM

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Author Topic:   Armstrong Air & Space (Ohio): Theft of gold LM
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 47953
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-29-2017 10:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
collectSPACE
Neil Armstrong's gold Apollo lunar module model stolen from Ohio museum

A gold model of an Apollo lunar module gifted to Neil Armstrong shortly after the first moon landing in 1969 has been stolen from the Ohio museum that bears the astronaut's name.

Police responded to a burglary alarm at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, shortly before midnight on Friday (July 28), where the 18 karat gold, five-inch-high (13 centimeter) miniature lunar lander was found missing.

OV-105
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Posts: 875
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 07-30-2017 04:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would bet even money it is an inside job with whoever stole this.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 47953
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-30-2017 04:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
According to the Wapakoneta Daily News:
A museum source says the front door to the museum was forced open, which triggered the alarm system.
Another report (unsourced) on Facebook, described it as a "smash and grab." One would think that if it was an inside job, the person would have been aware of the alarm(s) and be able to leave less of a trace of the theft.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 47953
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-31-2017 05:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wapakoneta Police Department press release (July 31, 2017)
Updated Information from Armstrong Air and Space Museum Burglary July 28, 2017

On Friday, July 28, 2017 at 23:59 hours, our department received a call of a burglary alarm at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum, 500 Apollo Drive.

Entry, by force, to the front entrance of the museum was made. Evidence at the scene revealed there was more than one subject involved, although entry into the museum was most likely made by one person. Surveillance camera footage did not yield much in terms of a description of the suspect that gained entry. See attached photo.

We have learned that other items were taken in addition to the Lunar Excursion Module replica. Award medals/ribbons and presentation coins are also missing. These items were located in the same display case as the lunar module replica.

"I want to stress to the media and public that this is an ongoing criminal investigation. With that being said, I will continue to release information as I can, but I will not tarnish the integrity of the investigation. No other questions will be taken at this time." — Russell Hunlock, Chief of Police.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 47953
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-02-2018 06:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's been just over a year since the theft and the 18-karat gold replica of the Apollo 11 lunar module and other artifacts stolen have yet to be recovered or suspects arrested, reports the Associated Press.
Wapakoneta Police Chief Calvin Schneider, a native son of Armstrong's birthplace in western Ohio, called the theft was a "body blow." He said an FBI analysis of evidence gathered after the theft last July could prove helpful in tracking suspects.

"Once we get something back from the lab, we might be closer," Schneider said.

All times are CT (US)

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