Stolen S.F. Cathedral Bell Found Near Scrap Yard

WEST OAKLAND (CBS) – Police have told the Archdiocese of San Francisco that they had found a 5,300 pound historic bell that had been stolen last Sunday from the grounds of St. Mary's Cathedral.

Police were tipped off that the bell was near 9th and Pine Streets in West Oakland near a salvage yard, according to a press release from the archdiocese. Police say the bell is dirty and covered with dirty canvas tarps, but it is intact.

"This is wonderful news, a mini-miracle of sorts, for the parishioners of the Cathedral and all Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Francisco," said George Wesolek, Director of Communications. "The wide press coverage of the theft helped make it harder to get away with this. Our thanks to the public for their proactive response, the press and especially the effective work of the San Francisco Police Department. Now we need to find a way to bring the bell back to its place at the Cathedral."

The landmark bell was reported stolen from the garden at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco on Sunday morning.