Police arrested a suspect after the historic mayor’s Chain of Office to the City was stolen from its second-floor display case at London’s City Hall on Wednesday.
Police say a man was seen leaving city hall at around 9:40 a.m. after concealing the chain under his clothes and that they used surveillance footage provided by the city to positively identify the suspect.
The theft occurred just days after the municipal election, where eight new councilors and a new mayor were voted into office.
At 11:15 p.m. on the same day, police arrested a man in the downtown core and say that he was wearing the stolen item.
Nicholas John Kelley, 33, of London has been charged with theft over $5000.
He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 6.
The chain of office is a ceremonial piece of jewelry that the mayor of London dons during formal events and city officials are grateful for its return.
Thank you to members of the London Police Service for their excellent work in efforts to quickly locate and return the Chain of Office to the City. There is much history associated with this piece, and I am grateful for the work done to see it returned. #ldnont https://t.co/u6NTkQNQdQ
— Ed Holder (@ldnontmayor) October 27, 2022
