Stolen Native American Dance Costume Recovered

 

(CBS) PALM SPRINGS Police recovered a Native American dance costume valued at $10,000 and stolen last month from a pickup truck parked outside a Palm Springs motel, officials said Friday.

The multicolored costume was taken the morning of Sept. 24 from a white 2004 Dodge truck parked near a Motel 6 in the 63000 block of 20th Avenue, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

The truck belonged to a Montana resident who kept the costume in a red plastic suitcase.

A "cultural specialist" identified as Arkamel Blankenship, who said he was affiliated with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Banning, told a Palm Springs detective he was contacted by a friend who came into possession of the costume, Sgt. Mitch Spike said.

Blankenship's friend "claimed to have gotten it from someone else," according to Spike's statement.

The costume was delivered to Blankenship and then turned over to Palm Springs police.

Arrangements reportedly are being made to return the costume to its owner. Nobody has been arrested in connection with the costume theft, but detectives are pursuing several leads, Spike said.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department's watch commander at (760) 323-8115.

Tamra
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