Portland, Ore. – An Idaho woman who traveled to Oregon for the Route 66 Model Horse Show is seeking the return of a prized collection of custom model horses that were stolen from her rental car in a downtown parking lot.
Hundreds of handcrafted horses taken
Molly Worak estimates that roughly 100 model horses were taken. Built over two decades, the collection is valued at an estimated $10,000, though Worak says the pieces are “priceless” to her.
“They’re just all gone, you know, in an instant,” Worak told reporters.
Stolen while parked near Powell’s Books
Worak left the horses hidden in the back of her rental vehicle, which was parked in a paid lot off 10th Avenue across from Powell’s Books. When she discovered the theft, she called the police.
A security guard near the bookstore reported seeing a man handing out green knit pouches that contained the model horses. Two Powell’s employees also confirmed they saw the man distributing the pouches inside the store.
“The two employees from inside the store confirmed they saw the man, they saw what he was doing. And he had been taking my model horses in their pouches and distributing them,” Worak said.
Personal loss and a recent award
Worak, who is back home in Idaho, said the loss is especially painful because one of the stolen models had just earned her a milestone award. “Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever won a Best in Show, and that model is also one of the ones that was stolen,” she explained.
How to help
Worak is asking anyone who receives a pouch or sees the horses being sold to contact her at [email protected]. She has offered to reimburse shipping costs for any returned items.
The horses can also be turned in to the Portland Police Bureau under case number T26031871.
Community response
Local collectors and hobbyists have expressed sympathy for Worak’s loss, noting the niche yet passionate nature of the model‑horse community. Many have offered to keep an eye out for the missing pieces at local flea markets and online marketplaces.
Portland police continue to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
