Portland Man Gives Away 100 Stolen Model Horses Near Powell's
Idaho collector Molly Worak is trying to track down her $10,000 custom collection after witnesses saw it being distributed for free in downtown Portland.
By Marco Ortega ·
Molly Worak is searching for 100 custom model horses that were taken from her rental car in downtown Portland. The theft occurred while she was in Oregon to attend a model horse show in Tigard. Witnesses say a man was seen giving away the figures near Powell's Books.
Worak values the collection at roughly $10,000. It represents 20 years of work. The horses are hand-crafted and hand-painted, with details customized down to individual hairs. One of the stolen figures had just won a Best in Show award for her the day before the theft.
The car was parked in a paid lot off 10th Avenue across from the bookstore. Worak had left the collection hidden inside. When she discovered the figures were missing, she contacted police. The incident is being tracked under case number T26031871.
A security guard working near Powell's told FOX 12 that he recognized a man handing out green knit pouches. He confirmed the pouches contained Worak's horses. Two employees from inside the store also told Worak they saw the man distributing the items.
Worak described the model horse community as huge yet niche. She said the uncertainty of where the horses ended up is the most difficult part of the situation. She wonders if they are in an alley or dumped in a river.
"They're just all gone, you know, in an instant," Worak said. She added that losing the model she had just won an award with was especially heart-wrenching.
Worak has returned to Idaho but is asking the public for help. Anyone who received a pouch or sees the horses for sale can email her at mollyworek97@gmail.com. She will pay for shipping if the horses are returned. They can also be turned in directly to the Portland Police Bureau.
