Thieves steal from Forestry Expo exhibits

Thousands of dollars of items have been stolen from the Family Forestry Expo site, and law enforcement is asking for leads.

On May 7, an employee for Stoltze Land and Lumber reported that tools, furs, an antique can, golf balls and a can of bear spray with a total value of $3,629 had been stolen from the Forestry Expo site at the intersection of Trumble Canyon Road and Tamarack Road.

The skulls and/or pelts of two mountain lions, plus bobcat, lynx, marten, white weasel, badger, skunk, raccoon, otter, beaver and mink will be difficult to replace, according to the report.

The box of skins and skulls was taken from the wildlife exhibit, the antique can was taken from the archaeology exhibit and items were disturbed at the fisheries exhibit.

A five-gallon bucket of golf balls was taken from the riparian exhibit the previous day.

Although there are no suspects, Flathead County Sheriff’s Detective Ray Young said authorities speculate they may be teens.

Young urged the public to contact CrimeStoppers at 752-TIPS (8477) or to e-mail tips directly to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office at flathead.mt.gov/detectives/crime_tips_list.php

All tips remain anonymous.