Portland police have recovered an additional 72 miniature horse figurines stolen from an Idaho visitor’s rental car, though about three dozen remain missing after a man was arrested for handing out and selling the collectibles.
Molly Worek, 29, traveled from Idaho to Portland for a model horse show earlier this month when approximately 100 custom figurines valued at $10,000 were stolen from her rental car sometime between the night of Nov. 7 and the morning of Nov. 8. The theft occurred after she parked in a lot across from her Pearl District hotel around 9 p.m.
Worek had won best-in-show for the first time the day before discovering her car window smashed and collection gone. She chose to leave the figurines in the vehicle because carrying them would have required both hands in the dark and rain in an unfamiliar area, leaving her feeling unsafe.
After reporting the theft, Worek learned from a Powell’s Books security guard that a man had been seen handing out or selling her horses for $5. She recovered one model from a store employee.
Police arrested Benjamin T. Moore, 39, and booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on five counts of theft by receiving and one charge of second-degree theft on Wednesday.
Moore has not been connected to the original car break-in. He told police he didn’t know the items had been stolen and thought they had been thrown out when he found them, according to court documents. He has pleaded not guilty.
Following Worek’s social media posts and news interviews about the theft, the Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team received a tip that led officers to recover 72 figurines on Saturday. Additional figurines are being returned directly to Worek.
“For it to be taken seriously and for so many Portlanders to step up,” Worek said, “has been really moving.”
She asked anyone with a model to contact Portland police before attempting returns to avoid scams or ransom situations. Worek said she will pay for shipping and reimburse anyone who bought back the models.
“Please return them home,” she said. “I know they’re beautiful little pieces of art, but they belong at home with me.”
The Portland Police Bureau asks anyone with information about the case to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, attention Central NRT, and reference case number 26-324486.
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