The secluded, hi-tech Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, once used in Cold War espionage and as a tracking station for NASA, was burglarized around 3 a.m. Dec. 24. Deputies say individuals entered the facility and took items such as computer monitors, televisions and projectors.
The thieves also swiped more than 100 priceless meteorites, most of them one-of-a-kind, from three collections that were on display, according to David Clavier, vice president of PARI’s administration.
Clavier suspects the center lost more than $80,000 worth of property in the Christmas Eve burglary.
The cops want help in solving the crime:
Deputies are seeking three “persons of interest” who visited PARI three days before the break-in. They are asking anyone with information about the incident and anyone who can identify the “persons of interest” shown in video surveillance stills to contact the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office at 828-884-3168 or Crime Stoppers at 828-862-7463.
Information may also be submitted from TCSO’s website at www.tcsonc.org.