Stolen firearms recovered from stream 10 months after burglary
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department recovered six stolen firearms from a fishing stream in Utica Township. They are now searching for information regarding the July 26, 2015 burglary, in which the firearms and gun safe were stolen. (Sheriff’s department photos)
These five firearms, owned by Bjorn Unseth, of Soldiers Grove, were found in a fishing stream near Utica. A sixth also owned by Unseth was reeled in by a fisherman in that location prior to the search and recovery.
A number of firearms stolen from a Soldiers Grove residence last July were recovered in a Utica Township fishing stream May 12, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. Yet authorities continue seeking more information about those responsible for the burglary.
The sheriff’s department initially investigated the residential burglary at the Bjorn Unseth home, 106 Railway Ave., Soldiers Grove, on Sunday, July 26, 2015. A gun safe containing six firearms and other miscellaneous items of value had been stolen.
On Dec. 7, 2015, a local man walking on Orchard View Lane found a gun safe in the woods just off the road. The gun safe matched the description of the one taken from the Unseth home. A large hole had been cut in the back of the safe and all the contents had been removed, authorities said.
On May 9, a local fisherman hooked a shoulder strap attached to a rifle while fishing in a stream near the intersection of West Point Road and County B in the town of Utica. The fisherman retrieved the gun from the water and then notified the sheriff’s department. A serial number on the firearm matched a serial number from one of Unseth’s missing guns.
A couple days later, on Thursday, May 12, the sheriff’s department searched the area near the West Point Road bridge and located all of Unseth’s stolen firearms in the stream.
The Crawford County Crime Stoppers urges anyone having information to call 326-8933 or (866) 779-Pays. Anyone calling either of these numbers with a Crime Stoppers tip will remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1,000 will be paid for a tip that solves a crime with an arrest, charges being filed and/or recovery of stolen property.
