The FBI is part of a statewide investigation into the theft of
two historic artifacts from the tack room of the Castro-Breen Adobe
in San Juan Bautista, state park officials said Thursday.
The FBI is part of a statewide investigation into the theft of two historic artifacts from the tack room of the Castro-Breen Adobe in San Juan Bautista, state park officials said Thursday.
A pair of silver spurs and a rawhide headstall were stolen sometime around April 30 from the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park museum exhibit after an employee discovered the missing items.
“This is a rare occurrence at the park,” said Dave Schaechtele, a California State Parks public information officer, who added he could not go into specific details about the theft.
The value of the missing artifacts also could not be determined.
“Anytime you are dealing with artifacts you really can’t put a value on it,” Schaechtele said.
Missing from the museum’s display case are a rawhide headstall and a pair of silver spurs. The rawhide headstall is approximately 15 inches long and 3 inches wide. The American-type spurs were made in Mexico and have distinguishable artwork of a silver person soldered onto each spur.
Investigators are surveying western memorabilia dealers or those dealing in antiquities, along with pursuing other leads, Schaechtele said.
“We have other tracking measures, but we can’t go into specifics because of the investigation,” he said. “Because, whoever did this could his see his vulnerability. We would rather concentrate on what was stolen.”
Schaechtele said because of the number of agencies involved in the investigation, including help from the FBI with its technological capabilities, information was withheld until Thursday.
“We had to look into legal matters, that’s why there was a delay,” Schaechtele said.
Security measures at the historic state park include rangers patrolling the grounds during the day while an alarm is activated during the night.
Schaechtele said there is a number of reasons someone would steal the artifacts.
“Someone could have stolen the pieces for a collection or to sell and make money,” he said.
The two artifacts were a part of the Breen family collection that have been on display since the early 1960s.
Members of the Patrick Breen family were California pioneers who were part of the Donner Party and survived the ill-fated journey.
The Breens settled in the San Juan Bautista area in the 1850s.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Park Superintendent Curtis Price at 623-0610.
