[UPDATE Monday] Antique Hayrake Stolen From Rio Dell Home

“Some brazen thieves came to my home…and stole my antique hayrake,” a Rio Dell resident who lives on Eeloa Avenue, Athena Egan told us. “It’s been in my family for decades.”

The hayrake was taken between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday. “This hayrake is about 8 ft wide and 4 ft high,” she wrote. “It would of taken two strong men and a large trailer most likely to haul it away. A long bed truck might of managed it.”

“I’m thinking sometime had to of seen this on a trailer going down the highway.” She’s hopeful that businesses that have cameras on the streets of Rio Dell, or even going through Eureka or out Hwy 36 will check their cameras.

She checked with her neighbors but none she was able to contact had cameras.

“I made a police report,” she told us.

She’s appealing to the community to look at any cameras they might have that view the street and she’s asking the thieves, “Please return [it]. Do the right thing.” She says it can be returned with no questions asked.

If you have any information, please contact the Rio Dell Police at (707) 764-5642 or contact Athena at [email protected].

UPDATE Monday: The owner let us know that the hayrake has been returned. She said that an older woman had taken it apparently believing it was free. “She was a sweet older lady probably in her 70’s. I believe she genuinely didn’t think she was stealing. But I recommended next time she ask first.”