Speed Skater's Two Olympic Bronze Medals Stolen from Parents' Artesia Home

Two Olympic bronze medals belonging to speed skater Rusty Smith were stolen from his parents' home in Artesia Thursday, according to a sheriff's lieutenant.

The home in the 16000 block of Longworth Avenue was burglarized sometime July 19 between the morning and early afternoon hours, when no one was home, Lt. Joe Nicassio of the Lakewood Sheriff's Station said. 

Nicassio said other items were also taken during the break-in, however "the other things were insignificant compared to the two medals," he added. 

The two-time Olympian told NBC4 that the medals were inside a safe hidden in a closet and bolted to the floor of home.

So far there are no leads on the suspect(s), but detectives are continuing to investigate the case, Nicassio added.

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, which serves the city of Artesia, at (562) 623-3500.

Smith, a short track speed skater, won bronze in the 500-meter at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and earned another bronze medal in the 5000-meter relay alongside teammates Alex Izykowski, J. P. Kepka, and Apolo Anton Ohno at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

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