120-year-old bell found with chunk missing after being stolen from NJ fire department: officials

PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. - A historic bell dating back to 1903 has been found several days after it was stolen from a local fire department. However, officials say a part of the bell was cut out by whoever took it.

Battalion Chief Eric Moran said the bell was used as the fire alarm in the early 1900s, then displayed throughout the years as a symbol of the Pleasantville Fire Department's origins.

The department’s newest members were in the process of upgrading the memorial site when the bell went missing. It was being stored down an alleyway between the fire department and police department, and covered under a large container.

"The mount just literally was finished this past week which prompted them to take a look at the bell, to make sure everything measured up and that’s when they found out the bell was missing," said Moran. "You can tell it was still on the pallet because there’s no gouge in the concrete."

Firefighters suspect that the thieves may have been scrappers hoping to make an extra buck. Wheel marks and a trail of debris were visible leading out of the alleyway. 

"They did their research. This wasn’t a spur of the moment, let me take a loaf of bread, this was planned out and probably more than one or two individuals," said Moran.

On Monday, fire officials announced that the main portion of the stolen bell had been located. They are still trying to track down the missing pieces.

Moran says it was found thanks to the public coming forward with information about what they saw.

If you have any information or tips to pass along, reach out to Pleasantville Fire at 609-484-3667 or email Administration@pleasantvillefd.net.