[CPProt.net] Church Painting Recovered At Marshall County Residence

[MSN CPPnet]

Church Painting Recovered At Marshall County Residence 
By GABE WELLS 

June 30, 2005

Fine work by the Bellaire Police Department is being credited for the
recovery of a valuable religious icon stolen from a village church, and
charges are pending against a suspect in the case. 

Bellaire police on Tuesday recovered the painting, "Our Lady of Perpetual
Help," that was stolen from St. John's Catholic Church in Bellaire sometime
last week. The $8,000 painting dates back to the 1920s, and it was given to
the church from the Vatican. The painting depicts Mary holding the infant
Jesus.
The painting was recovered at a residence in the Washington Lands area of
Marshall County. 

Bellaire Police Chief Robert Wallace on Tuesday credited strong police work,
cooperation from citizens in Bellaire and assistance from the Marshall
County Sheriff's Department for the recovery. The chief specifically cited
Lt. Michael P. Kovalyk with developing the specific information that led to
the recovery of the icon in the Washington Lands area of Marshall County.
The resident of the home in which the painting was found is cooperating with
police and providing statements. Kovalyk said the suspect in the theft is
believed to be in custody, and charges are pending.

"I got information from a concerned citizen," Kovalyk said. "I contacted
Marshall County, and they went to to the residence. She (resident) is here
now giving a statement to officers. The detectives brought the icon back
here. We believe the suspect is already in jail. I had the hunch because
that's the kind of stuff he steals, and we will probably recover items from
residential burglaries."

On Tuesday, Monsignor Gene Mullett said the recovery was a reason to
celebrate, and he thanked the Bellaire Police Department for its efforts.

"It's a great day," Mullett said. "The police are keeping it for evidence,
and it will be back soon. We hope to have a celebration when we put our lady
back in her rightful place in our church. We hoped, and we prayed. We placed
this in God's hands. We asked the blessed mother to inspire the return of
her portrait. 

"Thanks to the Bellaire Police Department," he added. "They went above and
beyond the call of duty. There were fabulous, and they were right on it -
the Marshall County detectives, too. The newspapers and media did a
wonderful job. Everyone has been so concerned."