Colorado authorities are on the hunt for a “national treasure,” calling on the public to help find a 200-year-old painting of George Washington stolen from a storage unit in late January.
«We are asking for your help to find this national treasure!» the Englewood Police Department wrote on their social media platforms. «The painting is of our first president, George Washington, and was created in the early 1800s.»
The FBI’s Denver bureau is assisting the department in the investigation into the missing painting of the nation’s first leader.
The historical art piece was likely stolen the night of Jan. 10 during a break in, Englewood Police Sgt. Ed Disner told USA TODAY on Wednesday.
Painting’s value is undisclosed due to ‘historical significance’
The value of the painting has not been made public, with Englewood Police spokesperson Crystal Essman telling USA TODAY that she could only say the painting had been in the family over 50 years.
Essman said that protecting the identity of the victim is a top priority, adding that other specifics about the theft were still under investigation.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help to find the painting. Anyone with any information can call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit http://tips.fbi.gov.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for tips at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can choose to be anonymous.
