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August 30, 2007

Museum thefts bring more charges

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH -- After being arrested earlier this month, Matthew Boire told police he was trying to sell a sword and scabbard from the Clinton County Historical Association collection to help raise money for the museum.

The 25-year-old Plattsburgh man failed to mention he had already allegedly taken an 1800s officer's saber, valued at more than $1,500, from the museum and sold the antique weapon on eBay.

That's the same place where authorities previously found the missing museum sword and scabbard posted for sale, which is what led to Boire's Aug. 13 arrest.

According to Plattsburgh City Court records, the new information has landed Boire an additional felony charge of fourth-degree grand larceny in connection with Plattsburgh City Police Department's ongoing investigation into missing items at the Ohio Avenue museum.

NEW CHARGES

Besides the new grand-larceny charge, Boire is also now facing additional charges of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree false sworn statement and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

In total, Boire is facing three felony and two misdemeanor charges in connection with the missing collections.

During the initial search of Boire's Oak Street residence earlier this month, authorities allegedly recovered the sword that was posted online, a second ceremonial sword and scabbard, an antique rifle and a Civil War-era American flag.

Boire reportedly told authorities they were the only museum artifacts in his possession. But during a subsequent search, authorities allegedly recovered two additional missing weapons: a Starr single-action revolver and a Smith & Wesson .32-caliber pistol.

Their discovery led to Boire's arrest on the false-sworn-statement charge.

MUSEUM INVENTORY

As the police investigation was continuing, Historical Association Board Member and Treasurer Maurica Gilbert was asked to inventory the museum collections.

Gilbert said she found at least four missing weapons: the Starr revolver, Smith & Wesson pistol, a Harpers' Ferry pistol and a Sharps rifle.

According to court documentation, Gilbert also told authorities she found at least four sabers or swords missing, including the officer's saber and Capt. William B. Pratt's 1863 sword and scabbard, which was the sword authorities previously found posted on eBay.

An antique weapons appraiser valued Pratt's unique bejewel-handled sword at around $3,500.

The Harpers' Ferry pistol and a Masonic sword are still believed to be missing.

In a previous statement to police, Boire said he took the items because "there are internal problems with the museum where they are in debt for a ridiculous amount of money.

"I wanted to raise money by selling some items that didn't have North Country ties. Once I got the money, I would make a donation in either my name or do it anonymously."

But, in a statement to authorities, Gilbert said: "As a board member of the CCHA, I am aware that no one has or had permission to possess or sell the above items (missing weapons) on behalf of the museum or for themselves."

Boire, who was a board member at the time, has declined to comment on the charges since his initial arrest and is scheduled to reappear with his attorney, Stephen Johnston, Sept. 19 to face the charges.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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