DETROIT -- A historical marker from Tiger Stadium has been
stolen.
The cast-aluminum plaque that identified the stadium as a state historical site and detailed its history was stolen off the exterior wall of the building.
Sgt. Omar Feliciano said Wednesday police have no suspects or
clues in the theft of the marker, which was erected in 1976 next to
a plaque of Ty Cobb.
The Detroit Tigers played in the stadium from 1912 to 1999
before moving to new Comerica Park.
A security guard reported the plaque missing Sunday, and
officials confirmed that it had not been removed by city officials
or the team, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office said
in a statement.
There are more than 1,500 markers at sites around the state.
Stealing or damaging the markers is a misdemeanor punishable by up
to 93 days in jail or a $5,000 fine. Businesses or collectors who
accept the marker could face six months in jail or a fine of up to
$10,000.
But state officials are allowing the missing marker to be
returned by June 8 with no penalties.
"We're hoping that whoever did this just thought it wouldn't be
a big deal because the stadium could be gone," said Laura Ashlee,
publications and historical markers coordinator from the Historic
Preservation Office.
The office's Web site lists about 40 other missing markers.
Tiger Stadium has gone mostly unused since 1999, and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said last month that he'd make a decision about the
stadium's fate in May.