Police recover 2,000-pound church bell stolen from Squirrel Hill
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A stolen church bell that weighs approximately 2,000 pounds has been recovered by Pittsburgh police.
Early Wednesday morning, police located the 115-year-old bell along Parkwood Road in the city's St. Clair neighborhood.
"Supposedly, they tried to take it to a scrap yard," said Mark Pearson, church trustee. "Once they saw it on the news, they stopped and dumped it off in a secluded area."
Squirrel Hill's Brown Ames Church bell, which was cast in 1908, was stolen from the Turner Cemetery. The bell is now safe and sound, though it is missing the yoke and there is a small slice in the side.
So, what's next for the bell, which has been taken to an undisclosed location? Church trustees said it's either going to get a permanent display stand at the cemetery or play a part in a new church parishioners want to build.
"They learn their lesson," Pearson said. "Hope no ill will on those folks. The police and the law have to do what they have to do."
It's unclear if police have any suspects related to the theft.