Thief Arrested - Sword Safe
By John Zornow- GateHouse New Service

Wayne County - Area historical museums are breathing a collective sigh of relief after learning that the man who stole a valuable Civil War sword and uniform has been arrested. A Rochester man, Michael Ortiz, of 610 Lake Avenue, was taken in to custody by Wayne County Sheriff s deputies on Thursday, after he sold the sword to a Rochester pawn shop. The store owner suspected that it might be the missing sword, stolen in early October from the Museum Wayne County History in Lyons, and notified police.

Larry Ann Evans, Executive Director of the Museum of Wayne County History said that at this point, Ortiz won't admit to anything, and suspects that he may be linked to thefts of paintings in Mount Morris, N.Y. Ortiz visited the museum on September 26, to ask for water for his car, which had overheated. While a museum aide was filling a jug for him, he went upstairs to tour the exhibits, stole the 1860 sword, and uniform. Evans called 911, but Ortiz had fled the scene. Bonnie Hays, Director of Historic Palmyra indicated that while somewhat relieved, she is skeptical that the problem is over and disappointed that no arrests were made on similiar crime spree some time ago, from Buffalo to Glens Falls. Hays indicated that the Historic Palmyra museum was hit in 2005, losing a whale's tooth which never was returned.

Ortiz was arraigned in Village of Lyons court before Justice Nicholas Forgione and committed to Wayne County Jail on no bail. He will face third degree grand larceny charges, a felony.

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