The London mayor’s chain of office has been found.
The historic ceremonial item had been stolen from its glass case on the second floor of city hall around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday .
According to London police, a man was seen leaving 300 Dufferin Avenue after stuffing the chain under his clothing.
Officers used video surveillance to identify a suspect. He was located downtown around 11:15 p.m. following an “extensive search.”
“The suspect was wearing the stolen chain at the time of his arrest,” police said in a statement on Thursday.
A 33-year-old London man has been charged with theft over $5,000. He was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on December 6.
Mayor Ed Holder took to social media to offer his appreciation to police for quickly finding the stolen item.
“Thank you to members of the #LdnOnt Police Service for their excellent work,” said Holder. “There is much history associated with the chain of office, and I am relieved it will continue to serve as a time-honored symbol of municipal government, in its rightful home, for generations to come.”
The chain of office is a red velvet collar with engraved medallions that is worn by the mayor at council meetings and other formal ceremonies. It bears the name of every person to serve as London mayor since 1957. The tradition of the collar follows British practice, and its use dates back to Europe from the middle ages.
