Authorities say they’ve arrested two men after they broke into an office in Hardy, and stole Native American artifacts and sports memorabilia before attempting to burn the building.
On June 14th, the victim contacted the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office telling authorities a few days before the incident that someone attempted to burglarize a basement breaking a window, but did not steal anything.
Days later, a doorbell video camera recorded two men breaking into the office shortly before 2am on June 13th.
Authorities say the men attempted to set the office on fire after stealing several items.
According to the victim, the following items were stolen:
collection of arrowheads
Duck River sword artifact
iron rock mask from the Cahokia Mounds in St. Louis
sports jerseys signed by Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, and Julius Erving
sports cards collection
Beanie Babies with the victim’s daughter’s name on them
Authorities say the items were valued at $28,700.
On July 17th, authorities identified Michael Dawson and Loren Sharp as suspects.
33-year-old Loren Anthony Sharp of Concord was arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary and first-degree criminal mischief.
While at the residence, police discovered several items matching the stolen goods in plain sight. Officers obtained a warrant and seized the stolen property, including several Beanie Babies, a jersey, and some arrowheads.
Sharp admitted to law enforcement in a Mirandaized interview that he broke into and stole property from the office, also told police that Dawson was his accomplice and had taken the majority of the items that were stolen.
Police interviewed Micheal Dawson on July 16th, he admitted to breaking into the building with Sharp and stealing the goods.
Dawson took the authorities to two houses where he stashed some of the stolen items, a trash bag full of sports cards, two arrowheads, and one large Indian artifact were recovered.
Two other boxes of stolen items were returned by an anonymous woman on Dawson’s behalf according to authorities.
Dawson was arrested and charged with arson, criminal mischief, and breaking or entering a building.