Charges Dropped in Antler Theft Case

Two Maryland men are off the hook after being originally charged with stealing two massive sets of elk antlers in Pittsburgh. 

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office dismissed charges against 46-year old Gary Felts of Joppa, Maryland and 44-year old Stephen Lee of Cumberland, Maryland.  Pittsburgh police arrested the pair back on May 1 when a vendor claimed the two stole the massive racks during the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting.  

The racks, valued at $15,000 each, are from a hunting lodge in Rexburg, Idaho and have since been returned to the owner.    

Felts and Lee work for the Maryland exposition company which coordinated the NRA event.   The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports charges were dropped against the pair after witnesses told police they thought the men were returning the antlers to the vendor and not carrying them away.    Pittsburgh Police would not comment on the dismissal with the Post-Gazette.