Existence of 'missing' gold questioned

SALT LAKE CITY, April 1 (UPI) -- Police in Utah say a woman who claimed to have lost as much as $5 million in gold bars is not returning their calls.

The theft was reported in February, the same day two men were arrested allegedly removing $70,000 in silver bars from a home in Millcreek, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday. Patty Brown Kingston of West Jordan reported the same day that after hearing of the alleged theft she checked her stash of gold bars and coins for the first time in several years and found it was missing.

Kingston, the two suspects, Scott Brown, 19, and David Brown, 20, and the victim of the alleged silver theft all have ties to a polygamous group called the Davis County Cooperative, Rowenna Erickson, who was once married to a Kingston, told the Tribune.

The first time she called police Kingston said her gold was worth $500,000. She later said that because it had risen in price it was worth $3 million to $5 million.

Detectives appear dubious about the theft.

"Here's a lady that's missing up to $5 million in gold, then won't take our phone calls on it," said Lt. Bob Shober of the West Jordan police.