The Olympic metals that Jim Thorpe's family fought for decades to have restores to him were stolen late Thursday from the state Capitol. We thought that when we donated the medals to the state that they'd be safe. The Thorpe family donated the two Olympic gold medals to the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1987. The medals have been on display under Thorpe's portrait in the Capitol's fourth-floor Rotunda since then.
Authorities believe that at least two people took part in the theft.
The heist is under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Capitol Patrol, whose job it is to provide security at the Capitol. Roper wouldn't say how the camera was compromised or why it took security officers 5 to 10 minutes to reach the display area. The Capitol security office and closed-circuit television monitors are in the basement. Roper said three Capitol Patrol officers were on duty at the times. The medals were displayed in a Plexiglass case secured to a metal base by 10 screws.