Stolen Telescope of Sentimental Value

By Lena Vargas

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Summary

Mike Durst's says he was planning to give the fifty year old telescope to his son to then give to his children. Durst's dad gave it to him when he was ten years old. Durst runs the observatory at Columbia Basin College.

Story Published: Sep 2, 2010 at 5:09 PM PST

BENTON COUNTY-- A neighborhood just outside of Kennewick says it's experienced a rash of break-ins in the last few weeks. The latest victim lost something of great sentimental value: a fifty year old telescope.

The telescope belongs to Mike Durst who heads the observatory at Columbia Basin College.

It was a gift from his dad when he was about ten years old. The telescope was laying next to other larger telescopes when it was taken.

When Durst checked with his neighbors, he learned he's not the only victim.

"We noticed in the last two weeks just in our neighborhood, at least five houses have been broken into. But not very much has been taken thus far just odds and ends,” said Durst

Mike says he just wants the telescope back, no questions asked. He's even willing to let the thief learn about telescopes at the CBC observatory if he or she gives it back.