JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 110-year-old Colt revolver stolen 14 years ago from the great grandson of a police chief was returned Wednesday to the chief's family.
The antique, nickle-plated, pearl-handled .45-caliber handgun was presented to the first chief to the San Antonio Police Department. The revolver was engraved with "From Police Dept. to James M. VanRiper, San Antonia, Dec. 25, 1901, Chief of Police."
The gun was in a vehicle that was stolen from a hotel parking lot in 1997 while Van Riper's great grandson was passing through Jacksonville.
The Colt was recovered by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in 2010 after they got a tip from a Houston firearms dealer that two people in Jacksonville were trying to sell the gun. ATF agents, posting as gun buyers, arranged to buy the Colt for $7,000.
According to the U.S. attorney's office, Vyctor Locket, 33, of Jacksonville, and Jamie Knight, 35, of St. Augustine, were arrested when they brought the gun to meet the undercover officers at a restaurant parking lot.
Earlier this year, Locket was sentenced to 37 months in prison for possession and attempted sale of a stolen firearm, and Knight was sentenced to 24 months on the same charge.
Federal agents returned the gun to the great grandson on Wednesday.
"I cannot describe to you how I feel," he told the ATF agents who returned the gun. "My grandfather gave this Colt to me on his death bed. Being
born in San Antonio and forever a Texan, I am very proud of my heritage. You have my sincerest heartfelt gratitude."
Great story! Glad the rightful owners got it back,some peoples greed is just unreal!!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings Jane
I know..isnt that cool!
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