Nesquehoning police are investigating a theft of two historic bells that were taken last week in broad daylight.

According to Chief Michael Weaver, the theft occurred between noon and 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the front of the Nesquehoning Historical Society.

Weaver said that one of the bells was over 200 years old and weighed approximately 1,400 pounds, while the other was over 100 years old and weighed approximately 300 pounds.

Police are asking residents who live on the blocks around the historical society who have outdoor security cameras to check their footage during the time period during the theft. If they have any footage, or if they saw any activity at the society at that time, they should call the police department at 570-669-9111.

Weaver said that the investigation is still open and police are working on leads.

Nesquehoning Historical Society President Lois Kuba said that the organization is heartbroken over the theft.

“We’re heartbroken that people would come in to our little town and take artifacts that meant so much to everybody,” she said. “We strive to preserve for future generations and it’s so disheartening to know that people have no regard for this. This is the kind of thing you are at a loss for words because it is just so wrong. It’s horrible to think that our society has come to this and that people have no regards for the past and people’s property.”

Kuba said that there was no way these people could mistake the bells for trash because they were located up against the society building behind the historical society’s sign.

“It was a reminder of the past, something to pass down and it’s all been taken from us,” she said.

One of the bells, according to a previous article in the Times News, was from the former West End Elementary School, which had been located on the 200 block of West Railroad Street.

The theft was first noticed by society members on Saturday as they opened for the monthly open house, the society’s Facebook page states.

Kuba thanked Nesquehoning police, who have been diligent with the investigation.

“We are crushed,” the society posted.