Mask stolen from hospitalized man

Norman Ryall, 52, shows Vancouver police Const. Tracey Prentice a photo of the aboriginal mask stolen from his residential hospital room. The quadriplegic man saved for years to buy the mask and says he is devastated by the theft.

Published: March 17, 2009 1:57 a.m.

Last modified: March 17, 2009 2:03 a.m.

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A valuable aboriginal mask has been stolen from the hospital room of a sleeping quadriplegic man.

Norman Ryall, 52, who has lived at the George Pearson Centre for 30 years, said he was robbed on the night of Feb. 28.

“I feel terrible, somewhat sad and only hope it will come back to me,” Ryall said yesterday. “It’s like a piece of me is missing.”

Ryall became a paraplegic at age two and has been an avid aboriginal art collector for most of his life. He said it took him years to save enough money to buy the one-of-a-kind mask valued at as much as $15,000.

“I’m not sure who took it, but I’m just asking to have it back because it represents a big sentimental value for me.”

Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness said the loss has been devastating to Ryall.

“(Police) are working hard to locate the mask but we need the help of local art dealers, collectors and the public to return it to its rightful owner,” McGuinness said.

Const. Tracey Prentice said police received a tip that someone was trying to sell the mask on a Downtown Eastside street for $1,600.

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