Church handbells stolen and recovered

The Prince of Peace Lutheran church in Shoreline has a 12 person handbell choir which plays twice a month at worship services. The church owns about forty bells, which were stored at the church.

In mid-November, the choir was shocked to discover two cases of bells missing. 17 handbells were gone, valued at approximately $4,500. Two other cases, containing 20 bells, were not touched.

It took only two weeks for Shoreline Detective Bob Inn to discover that the cases of bells had been sold in Bothell for $50 and $75 per case. Per Sgt. Katie Larsen, a suspect has been arrested and charged in the theft.
 

The bell choir missed only one practice, and Bethel Lutheran church in Shoreline loaned their bells for the service which occurred before the bells were recovered.

The church credits terrific police work on the part of Shoreline and Bothell police, and a detective who understood the importance of the bells to the church community.

Photo by John-Morgan