Moses Lake auto museum burglarized

Roughly $75,000 in goods stolen

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake police are investigating a burglary of about $75,000 in coins and paper money taken this week from the Memories R Forever museum.

This week's burglary is the museum's third break-in this year, said owner Jack Leftwich. A metal saw was used this week to cut a hole in the side of the building, he said.

He is offering a $3,000 award leading to the arrest and conviction of the people involved, Leftwich said Thursday.

The American, Canadian and Chinese currency stolen this week dated from 1850 to 1890, he said. Most of the money taken was American.

The coins stolen were gold, silver and platinum. They were stored with the paper currency inside a glass showcase, he said.

"It's just a shame they did that to him," said Kim Mickelson, Leftwich's daughter and museum co-owner.

She said the free-admission museum will remain open.

A car believed to belong to the suspect was captured on video surveillance, but the suspect wasn't visible because a floodlight wasn't triggered, she said. She said she didn't know the car's make or model.

Police were called about noon Wednesday to the museum at 424 S. Burress Ave. after an employee reported the break-in, said Moses Lake Police Capt. Jim Jenkins. The break-in likely happened late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The museum also contains over 100 vintage and newer model cars, according to the museum's Web site.

Police are sending fingerprints and other undisclosed evidence to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, he said.

There are no suspects in the case, he said.