Final two pieces of stolen Bill Reid artworks recovered in Lower Mainland

Three months after a stunning heist, the last two priceless works by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid have been recovered after they were stolen from a museum at the University of B.C.

"People at the museum are just overjoyed at getting this material back," university spokesman Scott Macrae said Wednesday.

"There were fears that it could have been melted down."

One item, a carved pipe, is broken and about five centimetres of the artwork - made from a black slate-like material called argillite - is still missing.

"Given Bill Reid's relationship with the Museum of Anthropology, the special connection with the material, to get it all back with the exception of this missing piece, is almost everything that could have been hoped for," said Macrae.

The carved pipe is broken and about five centimetres of the artwork - made from a black slate-like material called argillite - is still missing.

RCMP Const. Annie Linteau said the Mounties aren't saying where the pipe or an intact eagle brooch made of gold were found, except that it was "in the Lower Mainland" along with the other pieces that were recovered in June.

Three people were arrested in June after 12 pieces by the Haida master were stolen - along with three artworks from Mexico - in the daring May 24 theft at the museum.

The gold eagle was recovered July 23 and the pipe Aug. 11, but Linteau said police didn't release the information at the time because of the ongoing investigation.

The three people arrested were released without charges but Linteau said the police report to Crown counsel will recommend charges against one or more people.

She also suggested at least one person connected to the theft is in custody on another matter.

"They are not in custody in relation to this investigation."

The museum is set to close for major renovations at the end of August, said Macrae, and the Reid artwork, as well as all other art at the museum, won't be on display until March 2009.

The building will be bigger and will allow the museum "to work more closely with our aboriginal partners," said Macrae.

Museum staff will also be undertaking a thorough examination of the recovered pieces.

"They are intact but whether there are some scratches and that sort of thing remains to be seen," said Macrae.

UBC has increased security personnel and conducted a risk assessment to ensure appropriate security measures are in place, he said.

"Of course, for reasons of security, we need to keep those details to ourselves."

Three Mexican jewelry pieces, also stolen and heavily damaged, remain in police hands, said Linteau.

Reid's most well-known work is a sculpture entitled the Spirit of Haida Gwaii.

It can be seen on the $20 bill, and versions of it are on display at the international terminal at Vancouver International Airport, and the Canadian Embassy in Washington.

The museum's expansion project will increase the size of the facility by 50 per cent and has a budget of $55.5 million.

Included in the expansion plans are a new exhibition gallery to allow the museum to bring major travelling shows to Vancouver.