Man on run after theft of space rock from Dungeness resident
By Tom Callis
Peninsula Daily News
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A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Raymond R. Lima after he missed a court appearance in February.
Lima, who is charged with first-degree theft, was scheduled to be tried in Clallam County Superior Court on March 10.
"He could just be lying low on the radar," said Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron.
"He could be here. We don't know."
Lima, 34, of Sequim pleaded not guilty Dec. 18.
He was released on personal recognizance at that time.
Lima allegedly stole a 4.5-pound pallasite meteorite, which was in two pieces, from Michael Pimentel in January 2009.
The space rock was discovered in Chile in the 19th century, said Pimentel, who owns Eclipse Minerals in Dungeness.
Pimentel believes he traced the meteorite, worth $80,000, to Lima when a rare rock and gem dealer in Arizona notified him he purchased one half of a pallasite meteorite from Lima after he reported it missing.
The 2.25-pound rock matched the other half of the meteorite, Pimental believes, based on a photograph.
It was returned to him, but the other half remains missing, he said.
Pimentel said pallasites are rare even for meteorites and are known for having an abundance of translucent olivine crystals.
A few other items, including a small piece of a nantan meteorite and an Earth rock known as a druzy agate geode, also went missing 15 months ago but have since been returned by a Sequim man who had acquired them, he said.
Some Roman coins remain missing from that theft.
Pimentel said Lima, who was a fishing buddy of his, was the only other person who knew where it was kept in his home.
He said Lima is likely either in Arizona, Seattle or somewhere on the North Olympic Peninsula.
"I'd just like to get this guy caught," Pimentel said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: April 02. 2010 12:44AM
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