Ammonite fossil theft nets a substantial fine
By Delon Shurtz on April 16, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com A 27-year-old man who stole a valuable ammonite fossil nearly two years ago has received a hefty fine.Logan Cash Heavyshields was set to stand trial this week on charges of theft over $5,000 and entering land without permission, but the case had been brought forward last month in Lethbridge provincial court and Heavyshields pleaded guilty to one count of theft under $5,000.
Heavyshields was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay half the appraised value of the fossil, which was estimated to be worth about $5,000. A co-accused was previously ordered to pay half, as well.
On July 16, 2019 Heavyshields was seen stealing the ammonite fossil from a mine south of Lethbridge. Mine employees saw the man put the fossil in a bag and then run to a waiting vehicle. The suspects got away, but were eventually captured, despite the driver’s attempt to disguise his truck by painting it.
The driver pleaded guilty in February of last year to several charges, including one count of theft over $5,000. He was handed a one-year conditional sentence and placed on house arrest for six months, followed by six months of curfew.
Court was told in March that shortly after the theft, one of Heavyshields’ family members took the fossil two times to have it appraised for sale. The second appraiser recognized the family member. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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