Police find jewelry and other items in stolen car

While recovering a stolen vehicle last fall in Pecos, state police say, officers found three backpacks stuffed with a stamp collection, foreign coins and a few hundred dollars worth of rings, watches, necklaces and other jewelry.

Now, the agency hopes to return these valuable items to their owners.

In a news release Tuesday, New Mexico State Police announced that anyone in Santa Fe County, the city of Santa Fe or Pecos who has had stamps, coins or jewelry stolen in a home burglary between June and October should visit the agency’s Santa Fe office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on one of the next three Fridays — April 12, 19 and 26.

“Oftentimes when we recover something, we have a pretty good idea of who it belongs to,” State police Sgt. Alex Rodriguez said. “This stuff that’s left over is what we haven’t been able to return.

“I’ve had stuff stolen,” Rodriguez added, “and it sucks to have stuff that you work hard for taken away. We’re hoping to give people back what is rightfully theirs.”

The agency obtained 183 pieces of jewelry from the stolen vehicle, Rodriguez said, adding that charges were dismissed in the case because the owners of the vehicle did not wish to pursue any legal action after it was recovered.

At the state police office, 4491 Cerrillos Road, burglary victims will be asked to fill out a stolen property identification form, providing personal information and a detailed description of the items that were stolen from their homes.

The agency also encouraged people to bring photos, police reports or sales receipts of missing items.

Stolen property identification forms also can be obtained by email. Contact state police at 505-827-3476.