Westmorland figurine worth thousands stolen in burglary

An oriental bronze figurine worth over $15,000 was allegedly stolen during a recent burglary in Westmorland.

“The case happened on November 11th. The family reported that they had their house broken into with numerous items taken from the home,” Westmorland Police officer Fred Beltran said.

Beltran said 26 year-old Fabian Melgoza Lopez turned himself in one day before Thanksgiving for the alleged burglary.

“We had an individual who came into our station and turned himself in and confessed to taking part in that crime,” Beltran said.

Lopez allegedly broke into a family member’s house and stole tools, equipment, and the valuable figurine.

Beltran said Lopez placed a firearm on an outside window before he walked into the station to confess to the alleged burglary against his own family.

“He said he was just tired of laying around and wanted to clear his conscience,” Beltran said.

Police are now asking for the public’s help in locating the figurine which is one of only two hundred ever made.

“It’s a female figure made out of bronze. It also has a dragon that’s wrapped around the female figure,” Beltran said.

Beltran said in spite of Lopez’ conscience being clear for having turned himself in for the alleged burglary, none of the stolen property has been recovered.