Montco Detectives Honored For Recovering 'Priceless' Artifacts Stolen Over 50 Years

UPPER MERION, PA — Two detectives from Montgomery County have been recognized once again for helping to recover numerous priceless artifacts and firearms that were stolen from museums along the east coast over the course of nearly half a century.

Upper Merion Detectives Brandan Dougherty and Andrew Rathfon tracked down a man who had been committing a series of cinematic-style heists in history museums around Pennsylvania since the 1970s.

The pair were honored "for the extensive, meticulous and lengthy investigation into a series of burglaries of numerous historical firearms and other artifacts from museums all along the Eastern Seaboard and the successful recovery and repatriation of these priceless pieces of American history," the District Attorney's Office said.

Thomas Gavin, 78, of Pottstown, stole items from Valley Forge, the York County History Center, and elsewhere, authorities said. His thefts included an antique rifle from Valley Forge in 1971, the preserved Christian Oerter rifle used in the Revolutionary War.

Dougherty and Rathfon were among 15 law enforcement officers and five civilians honored for their public safety during a ceremony hosted by the DA's Office.