Four large rock geodes were stolen from Rye Arts Center over the weekend, marking the second robbery in two months from the geode garden located just outside of the center’s front door.
One geode was stolen in February, and security cameras were installed in an attempt to prevent additional thefts. However, the cameras weren’t working properly, allowing an unidentified culprit to take four more geodes sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Monday.
“Each one weighs over 100 pounds, so it’s possible there was more than one person,” said Justin Keeney, a Rye Police detective. “It would be hard to walk away with something like that. We’re looking for cars that may have been around during that period, but it would be a lot easier if they disappeared on a specific night rather than over a whole weekend. We’re making do with the cards we’re dealt.”
Keeney said the first stolen geode was valued at $2,500 and was smaller than the four stolen last weekend. The value of the other four geodes has yet to be determined. Keeney said police have attempted to make contact with Robert R. Wiener, the owner of the geode collection, who loaned them to the Rye Arts Center for display.
Wiener, a Mamaroneck resident and long-time supporter of the Rye Arts Center, maintains a large collection of geodes that he loans to area galleries and museums, including a permanent exhibition at The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn.
“It’s possible it’s kids who were just messing around, and if that’s the case, we’re hopeful someone will speak up and say, ‘Hey, maybe we should do the right thing and bring them back,’” Keeney said. “But it’s also possible this is someone who’s aware of what they’re worth on the market.”
Keeney encouraged anyone with information on the thefts to contact the Rye Police Department at 914-967-1234.
Previous photo of the geode garden in February, after the first geode was stolen. Photo courtesy of Rye Police Department
