Man arrested for alleged theft of Olympic medals
Police have arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly stealing two Olympic bronze medals from a Mayfair nightclub during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Two of Team GB’s Olympians make public appeals on Twitter after their bronze medals were believed to have been taken during a night out in Mayfair, following a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Hockey player Hannah Macleod and rower Alex Partridge urged anyone who knows where the medals are to return them anonymously.
Partridge, 31, who won bronze as part of the men’s eight rowing team, tweeted that his Olympic blazer as well as his medal had been stolen from an event in Mayfair, central London.
Macleod, under the username @hannahmacleod6, also wrote on the site: “My medal was also stolen at the same time. Totally devastated.”
She added: “I’m not after punishment. If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn’t yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey.”
Both athletes later published a photo of a man captured on CCTV who they wished to talk to about the alleged thefts.
To the chap who took my @london2012 Olympic Blazer & Medal last night The police have u on CCTV Please return it to 6 Lower Mall Hammersmith
— Alex Partridge (@2012parters) October 24, 2012
Scotland Yard confirmed it was investigating reports of a stolen Olympic medal and blazer from an event in Mayfair. However the force had not yet been contacted about a second stolen medal, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.
A host of Olympic and Paralympic stars were invited to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to mark their achievements along with the Queen, duke of Edinburgh, duchess of Cambridge, the prime minister and London 2012 chief Lord Coe.
A Met spokesman said: “An Olympic medal and blazer were reported stolen from a venue in Mayfair in central London.
“It was believed the items were taken between midnight and 5am on Wednesday, 24 October.”
Officers are continuing to investigate the incident but no arrests have been made, the spokesman added.
I’m not after punishment.If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn’t yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey
— Hannah Macleod (@hannahmacleod6) October 24, 2012
Macleod, 28, achieved bronze at London 2012 after Team GB’s women’s hockey team beat New Zealand to secure a medal.
In a statement she said: “I’m absolutely gutted that my Olympic bronze medal has been stolen.
“Winning it in August was an incredible highlight for me and for this to have happened is simply shattering. While it means everything to me it has no value to anyone else and I just hope that whoever took it can hand it in or leave it somewhere that means I can get it back. I just want it back.
“I would like to thank everyone – my friends and family, the media and the general public – for their overwhelming support of me and Alex Partridge. The response has been incredible. If you know anything, or think you might know someone who does, please report it to the police or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
