Seattle parking enforcement officer locates stolen replica Liberty Bell worth over $100,000

On Monday, a Seattle parking enforcement officer helped recover a stolen replica of the Liberty Bell believed to be worth more than $100,000. According to the Seattle Police Department, at approximately 8 am, Parking Enforcement Officer Michael Eaton was on duty in the 1300 block of Northwest 83rd Street when he noticed a detached flatbed trailer with an “enormous” item covered with a rain tarp.

He discovered it was a large bell and remembered a recent news report about a replica Liberty Bell stolen from the Evergreen Washelli Cemetery. Seattle police then worked with the cemetery’s staff to verify and recover the rare bell. A staff member explained that it is heavy and made of copper, and there are only 20 of these bells in the world.

The replica Liberty Bell was first reported stolen from the cemetery on March 1. Cemetery staff told Seattle police officers they found the doors of a facility opened with a door lock cut and the bell, estimated to be worth more than $100,000, missing.

Investigators are now working to identify the suspects involved and asking anyone with information, photos, or video related to this investigation to call the SPD Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

For years, cemeteries in North Seattle have been plagued by homelessness and crime including prostitution, theft, vandalism, and drug use.