Thieves believed to have robbed San Martin, MH homes
Gilroy – Officers are still searching for the thieves who ripped a $120,000 wrought iron antique staircase from the floors of a Gilroy home sometime between Dec. 19 and Dec. 21.
The home, located on a 40-acre piece of land in South Gilroy, was under renovation and no one had visited the site since Dec. 19. When the owners returned on Dec. 21 they discovered the missing staircase and numerous items totaling more than $150,000, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to the two flights of stairs, the thieves stole custom tile, speakers, two doors, power tools, sinks, a large wood table and numerous pieces of rare hand-carved wood. But the 1920s staircase, which was comprised of about 40 steps and was embellished with sculpted bronze horse heads, was the most expensive item swiped.
“The staircase is the biggie,” said Deputy Public Information Officer Serg Palanov. “A staircase, you don’t get that stolen everyday.”
The suspects entered through a missing door on the southeast area of the residence and after entering were able to access all the rooms in the home.
Palanov said they’ve been checking e-Bay to see if the thieves were trying to auction off the items for a profit.
Police also are investigating two possibly related burglaries.
Computers, a television, DVD player and other items were stolen from a home in San Martin Dec. 30. That same day, a briefcase containing legal documents and credit cards was stolen from a trailer at the Oakdale Trailer Park in Morgan Hill. Neither of the victims were home at the time.
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the missing items.
“We don’t have any good leads that’s why we wanted to put this out,” Palanov.
Anyone with information may call Detective Jeffrey McCoy at 868-3661.
