Thieves or a thief with power equipment made off with a large historic bell weighing approximately 500 pounds from a vacant residence here on January 12.
The Blackstone Police Department, which is investigating the larceny, reported that the bell’s owner said that although his full-time residence is in Framingham, Mass., he has been renovating the Blackstone property and eventually plans to live there full time.
In the police report, the bell’s owner stated that in front of his garage he had a historic bell weighing approximately 500 pounds and bolted to channel iron and chained to his garage. When he purchased the bell about six months prior to the theft, it took three men to lift it.
On January 12, he came down from Framingham to plow the residence and while plowing the driveway noticed that the bell was missing. He also noticed that the chain had been cut.
The bell, standing 50 inches high and with a green patina, has the words “Hooper & Son, Boston, Mass.” and the date 1853.
The owner is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to its recovery.
Anyone having information about this item is asked to contact Lieutenant Gregory Gilmore of the Blackstone Police Department at 508-883-1212 or email blackstonepd@earthlink.net.
