Greg Moore’s racing helmet that was stolen from the BC Sports Hall of Fame has been recovered, and a suspect arrested.
Vancouver Police announced on Thursday, Sept. 18 they have made an arrest in the theft, and recovered the invaluable exhibit that once belonged to the late IndyCar driver from Maple Ridge.
“Greg Moore was a B.C. icon who rose to the top of his sport and inspired us all,” said VPD Sgt. Steve Addison. “The theft of his racing helmet has impacted Greg’s family, the sports community, and everyone who cheered him to success. We’re relieved to have made this arrest and returned the exhibit to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.”
Vancouver Police initiated an investigation on Sept. 3, after the racing helmet was stolen from the Hall of Fame, at BC Place. The helmet was worn by Moore during his 1998 victory at the Rio 400 in Brazil, and had been on loan to the museum by Moore’s parents, Rick and Donna Moore. It is part of an exhibit documenting the career of the famed driver, who died at the age of 24 during a race.
Moore was killed in a crash on Oct. 31, 1999 in Fontana, California, after his airborne car hit a concrete barrier. He had been a rising star on the CART series, with 17 podium finishes in 72 races, including five wins. Autosport.com said he was “on the cusp of greatness.” In his hometown he was loved by everyone, including the young people of Maple Ridge, who chose to put his name on their community youth centre.
Moore’s car number 99 was retired from CART. He was inducted into both the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame the year after his death.
Investigators from VPD’s Property Crime Unit led the criminal investigation. Using security video, police were able to identify the suspect and track the stolen helmet to a residential building on Dunlevy Avenue, in the Downtown Eastside.
The 39-year-old suspect was arrested on Sept. 12 for theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property. The suspect has not yet been formally charged, and will appear in court Nov. 19.