Burglars stole buffalo hides, historical weapons and cash from two historic sites in southeastern Colorado, the National Park Service said.
Rick Wallner, chief of interpretation at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta, said the burglars broke locks to get into the fort’s donation box, the trade room and the fee-collection area early Tuesday. In the trade room, they ransacked a gun rack and stole nine reproduction weapons valued at $9,000.
The Park Service said cash and bison hides were stolen from the Boggsville Historic Site south of Las Animas earlier in the week.
Investigators said that in their apparent haste to flee, the perpetrators of the Bent’s Old Fort burglary left behind evidence.
The thefts are being investigated by the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service Law Enforcement branch.
People with information are asked to call 719-384-5941.
