Bandits steal metal chain from shipwreck

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CONNEAUT, Ohio, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Thieves in Ohio stole some weighty metal chain with a rich nautical history, leaving police to search for the missing links.

Members of the Lake Erie Boat Club in Conneaut, Ohio, said they were gifted some 1,000 pounds worth of metal chain that was believed to have been used on the John B. Lyon, a ship that sank in Lake Erie in 1900, some say off the coast of Conneaut.

The group had put the massive chain on display outside their headquarters and had planned to make a display honoring the Lyon's sinking to accompany it. At least, that was the plan before thieves made off with the chain, presumably to sell it as scrap.

Police told the Ashtabula (Ohio) Star-Beacon they're monitoring scrap yards in the area to see if the chain turns up, though as of yet they've had no luck. Investigators said they were unsure what the bandits used to lift or haul such a sizable amount of metal without being detected.

A $500 reward has been offered for information leading to the chain's return.