On Saturday, May 25, a valuable piece of artwork was stolen from a home on Lewis and Clark Drive in Lolo between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m..

According to Missoula county Sherriff's Department Public Information Officer Paige Pavalone, the homeowner regularly left his home during the same time period. When he returned on Saturday, however, he discovered a 200 pound jar of coins tipped over inside his home as well as other evidence that his home had been invaded.

"His dog was acting strange," Pavalone said. "He didn't notice anything missing right away, but when he went outside he noticed two blue latex gloves and a plastic axe handle in front of the door. He later discovered that a large bronze statue that was located next to the door of his residence had been stolen."

The gloves and axe handle were taken as evidence. The statue, however, is still missing.

"It's a bronze statue described as a 30 inch tall cowboy wielding a pistol and it's called 'The Ranch Hand,' Pavalone said. "It's valued at about $10,000. It's a pretty unique item. It's going to have the name Mark Patrick engraved on the bottom of it and possibly a date."

There were no eye witnesses, so there are no descriptions of either the thief or a possible escape vehicle.

Anyone with any information about this case is advised to call Crimestoppers at (406) 721-4444.

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