Theft on 2nd Avenue

Liz Gould, proprietor of boutique shop Little Bird on 2nd Avenue in Niwot, reported the theft of several large rings from the store's jewelry display case last week. The rings were displayed on a rolled velvet bar that held six or seven rings.

"They were all on one display, so someone just picked it up and walked away with it," Gould said. "They were sizes 10 to 12, which usually fit men. We have no idea who did this. Our jewelry cases have been open for the last two years since it is so much easier to see the pieces. We have closed our cases again."

Gould reached out to Niwot Business Association president Eric Bergeson and other retail stores in Niwot to let them know of the theft. She provided a photo of similar rings in case others saw or heard anything about the missing rings. "Hopefully no one else will experience theft, but I thought you all should know," she wrote in an email.

"In 10 years, we've had a few thefts," Gould said, noting that "these things tend to happen in waves." The stolen rings were on consignment from a ringmaker in New Mexico.

Gould and her husband Bruce Rabeler were most concerned about the effect on the artist who created the rings. "Bruce and I have known him for 30 years. We came across his work when we were sales reps before we opened the store, and just admired his work. He uses silver, copper, brass and some gems. He's a Viet Nam vet with PTSD, and he started making these rings to help him overcome his trauma. He's just a great guy."

Gould said she would report the theft to the Boulder County Sheriff's Department, but there are no leads at this time.