Local artist/artisan Mason Foster and his wife Kelly returned from a weekend in Denver to find that Mason's workshop had been broken into and several major pieces, valued at over $200,000 and representing all of Foster's current major commissions, were missing.

These objects, according to Marshal Tremaine, include the following:

(1.) A rosewood-and-teak inlaid cabinet, nearly finished, valued at $55,000, done on commission for local realtor Eric Fallenius.
(2.) A coffee table with sculptural legs, done in antique recycled redwood, for hoteliere extraordinaire Michael Zivian, also nearly completed, valued at $95,000.
(3.) A cherrywood statue on pedestal, done for no fee for the Telluride School, to stand in the Middle School's lobby, depicting allegorical figures of Curiosity and Humor Searching For Truth. Though Foster was contributing the statue the Telluride Schools gratis, he stated that "It's the best thing I've ever done. I probably put 800 hours into the piece. It literally breaks my heart to have it stolen from the kids it was meant for."
(4.) A recycled barnwood armoire, with sculptural details done in carved and polished aspen boles, which Foster was planning to offer for sale at a gallery in Aspen for $65,000. A smaller similar armoire by Foster sold at the same gallery two years ago for $55,000, according to sources at the gallery.

Marshal Tremaine reported "No clues so far. It looks like a real professional job-- they picked the lock, probably with an electronic lockpick, and there were no fingerprints. Tire tracks at the scene had been wiped out, evidently by dragging logs and branches on a chain behind the escape vehicle."

Asked if he thought the theft might be related to Mr. Foster's much-publicized involvement in the anti-Clifftop movement, Tremaine said, "No comment. I mean, who the hell knows? We wish we had some clues. The whole thing piss-- it makes me mad. This guy works damn hard to make a living, and some perp bastards come in and wipe him out. If anyone knows anything, call me at my office or at home. I'll keep your name out of it if you want. Whoever did it, I'm warning you, I'll nail your hides to the jailhouse door before this is over."