PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
A local woman said her family now plans to offer a reward for the return of two paintings after someone allegedly broke into and ransacked her elderly mother's home.
Police believe the reported break-in happened sometime between May 16 and June 1 at the home near 71st Avenue and Franklin Street in Southeast Portland.
Kathleen Martin said she discovered her mother's home had been broken in to after she stopped by several weeks ago to grab some shampoo.
Valuable paperwork, jewelry, old coins and even an accordion were missing, Martin said. The thieves also stole an urn after scattering her father's ashes around the backyard, she said.
"It's like a bunch of kindergartners. They just dumped stuff everywhere. You know, they went through everything," Martin said.
Martin's mother wasn't home when the break-in happened, she said. She had temporarily moved out days before, so repairs and upgrades could be made inside.
Martin said her mother's neighbor heard a loud noise on the night of May 30 and noticed the next morning that someone had propped up two old paintings against his fence. Martin said the paintings belonged to her mother. Those are now gone too.
Martin believes whoever broke in shattered a downstairs window to gain access to the basement.
"She sees this, she'll just die. She already thinks her life is over. She feels to violated. And should!" Martin said.
Out all the things stolen, Martin really wants to see her mother's E.A. Abbey paintings back. Martin said she has no idea how much they're worth, but they were passed down from her great-grandfather.
Martin's family now plans to offer a reward for the return of the paintings. An amount hasn't been determined, she said.
"I just feel so violated. And I'm almost afraid to bring her back in the home," Martin said.
A Portland police spokesman said investigators are still looking into the case, but they do not have any suspects. Investigators do check with local pawn shops to see if items reported stolen pop up, the spokesman said.
If you do have any information about the case, call Portland police or you can send tips to crimetips@portlandoregon.gov
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