
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 23, 1993                   TAG: 9310230104
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

STOLEN MONTICELLO RING RECOVERED FROM STUDENTS

Albemarle County police said Friday a lucky break helped them recover a gold ring stolen from Monticello this week.

The 18th-century ring - thought to have belonged to Thomas Jefferson - was stolen Monday from a glass display case by a student taking a tour of the historic home, police said.

Police contacted all the school groups that toured Monticello this week, asking for information about the theft. A North Carolina student called Albemarle police Thursday night to tell them he overheard a group of students talking about the ring in the Monticello gift shop.

School authorities recovered the ring Friday morning. Authorities would not say which school the students are from except that it is in Virginia.

Police Sgt. James Bond called the theft a "school prank."

Bond said police do not expect to press charges, but the school might punish the students involved. - Associated Press

by CNB