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Bronfmans offer 'substantial' reward for information in $1M jewel heist

Article online since November 17th 2008, 1:00
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TORONTO - One of Canada's wealthiest families is offering a "substantial" reward after two Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup rings and other valuables were stolen from the Bronfman family mansion.

The Bronfmans have hired a private investigator, who declined to put a dollar value on the reward, but said the family hopes greed will motivate the thief or thieves to come forward.

"Certainly the people that took this took it for greed and hopefully they'll be curious enough to find out what that property is worth to the family," said Mark Mendelson.

Mendelson noted the jewelry is valued at more than $1 million, but wouldn't say if the family is offering more than that as a reward.

He said the reward is for the return of all of the jewelry intact.

"I would suggest that it's very difficult right now to move this stuff, and if (someone is) in possession of it, we're offering a very simple alternative to selling this jewelry on the black market," Mendelson said.

The Bronfmans are offering anonymity to anyone who comes forward through a website or tipline they have set up.

The jewelry that was taken during the Nov. 8 theft includes the two Stanley Cup championship rings dating back to the 1970s, when brothers Peter and Edward Bronfman owned the Canadiens.

A flawless six-carat diamond and other precious stones and metals, some handed down through four generations, were also stolen from the mansion in Toronto's upscale Forest Hill neighbourhood.

An undisclosed amount of money and a safe that weighed between 90 and 100 kilograms were also reported stolen.

"It's a tremendous violation," Mendelson said.

"This certainly isn't your run-of-the-mill break-and-enter where kids break into your home for a bottle of booze and some spare change sitting in a cup. Certainly these people are sophisticated and knew what they were doing."

Anyone with information can call 1-647-299-1491 or visit www.bronfmanjewellery.com to see photographs of the stolen items.

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