PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The Coast Guard is offering a cash reward for information about brass gongs and bells that were stolen from 10 buoys off of Maine’s coast.
The Coast Guard says nine bells were stolen from Penobscot Bay and one was stolen off Bailey Island in Harpswell.
The bell assembly stolen from the White Bull Gong buoy off Bailey Island weighed 371 pounds (168 kilograms).
The sounding devices held boats navigate in poor visibility, and the Coast Guard says they are most likely being sold to nautical novelty stores or scrap yards.
Coast Guard Lt. Matthew Odom previously said the thefts put lives at risk and cost taxpayers money.
Tempering with navigation aids is a federal crime punishable by up to $25,000 per day.
