New Jersey: Washington Crossing State Park center has Revolutionary War-era guns, artifacts stolen during hurricane power outage

From NJ.com: Washington Crossing State Park center has Revolutionary War-era guns, artifacts stolen during hurricane power outage

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — Two local teens used the recent post-hurricane power outage to break into the visitors center at Washington Crossing State Park and steal more than a dozen American Revolutionary War weapons and other historic artifacts, state officials confirmed yesterday.

Timothy Davis-Napier, 18 of Wilfrid Avenue and a 17-year-old juvenile, whose name was not released, were charged with burglary and theft in the Aug. 30 break-in at the park. All of the items have been recovered, officials said.

The pair gained entry into the visitor center while the alarm system was down because of the power outages that plagued the region after Hurricane Irene, state police said.

“I don’t know how they found out that the system was compromised but somehow they ended up over there and broke in,” said State Police acting Captain Frank Davis. “They took various pieces from within the museum.”

Stolen were eight flintlock pistols, eight knives and other items from the renowned Swan Collection of the American Revolution, which is on long-term loan to the museum, said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees state parks.

He could not estimate the value of the stolen items.

“They’re important artifacts from the American Revolution, Hajna said. “They’re our heritage. It would have been a big loss but fortunately, the items were recovered.”

The collection is owned by 82-year-old Harry Kels Swan, a Somerset resident who once worked in the museum and continues to visit regularly. Started in 1795 by Swan’s great, great grandfather, the collection has been passed down through 18 generations of the Swan family. It now contains more than nearly 900 authentic Revolutionary War-period items, including muskets, side arms, swords, clothing and maps.

Park police discovered the burglary during a morning check of the museum on Aug. 30, Davis said. Working closely with Hopewell Township Police, state police arrested Napier and the 17-year-old the following day. Two other juveniles were allegedly involved in the heist but not charged, according to a source close to the investigation.

The artifacts were recovered in the woods behind the home of one of the four individuals, the source said.

Hajna said the state is seeking to try the 17-year-old in adult court.

According to police records published online, Davis-Napier was arrested by Hopewell Township Police in August and charged with underage drinking.