Tempe police recovered stolen artifacts Monday from a Chandler pawn shop following a burglary reported over the weekend, officials said. The recovery came after an investigation linked the items to a series of recent thefts in the area, according to police sources.
The artifacts were recovered during a search conducted Monday at the Chandler pawn shop, Tempe police said. The investigation began after officers linked the stolen items to a series of recent burglaries reported in Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa, according to Tempe Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Michael Pooley. Authorities identified the artifacts as part of a larger cache of stolen property believed to have been taken from multiple break-ins over the past month, Pooley said.
The recovered artifacts include several Native American pottery pieces and metal tools, which sources familiar with the investigation described as culturally significant and estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Police officials confirmed that the pawn shop burglary was reported late Saturday night, prompting a coordinated response between Tempe and Chandler law enforcement. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed suspects entering the pawn shop using forced entry methods, according to Sgt. Pooley.
The recovery followed a series of arrests earlier this month involving a trio accused of stealing approximately $56,000 in designer handbags from various locations across the East Valley, including Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa, according to Maricopa County court records. While the handbag theft suspects have not been publicly linked to the pawn shop burglary, police said the cases are being examined for possible connections. Tempe police also noted that the pawn shop had been targeted in a previous smash-and-grab incident involving a U-Haul truck, reported in late April, though no direct ties to the recent burglary have been confirmed.
Investigators are working with the Chandler Police Department to determine the origin of the recovered artifacts and to identify additional suspects. Sgt. Pooley stated that officers are collaborating with tribal representatives to ensure the items are handled appropriately and to verify their provenance. The Tempe Police Department has not released the names of any individuals arrested in connection with the pawn shop burglary, citing an ongoing investigation.
The pawn shop owner declined to comment on the incident, and law enforcement officials have not disclosed whether any items were missing at the time of the recovery. Police continue to encourage residents to report any suspicious activity related to pawn shops or artifact sales in the area. Tempe police also emphasized their commitment to recovering stolen cultural items and preventing further thefts in the community.
The investigation remains active, with authorities conducting follow-up interviews and forensic analyses of the recovered artifacts. Police officials said they expect to release additional information as the case progresses. Meanwhile, the Tempe Police Department continues to work in partnership with neighboring jurisdictions to address the recent surge in property crimes, including burglaries and thefts involving valuable and culturally significant items.
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