The theft of a golden eagle statue in Ladner that made international headlines in 2016 continues to make its way through a slow and drawn out court process.
Forgotten Treasures International Inc. and owner Ron Shore is suing Lloyd’s Underwriters and other insurance companies for denying a claim after thieves allegedly made off with a golden eagle statue encrusted with hundreds of diamonds worth $930,000.
The company filed a May 25, 2018 notice of civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court naming Lloyd’s, Endeavour Insurance Services Ltd., Hub International Canada West ULC, Hub International Ltd. and broker Mark Loewen as defendants.
In December, a B.C. Supreme Court registrar ordered Lloyd’s Underwriters to honour Shore’s civil claim, but on Wednesday, a B.C. Supreme Court judgment overturned that December decision, allowing the insurer to challenge the claim.
In his ruling, Justice Robin Baird said that the insurers hadn't willfully and deliberately failed to respond to Shore's civil claim. He said it appeared the correspondence between the two parties showed the insurers would be mounting a solid defence.
Baird has given the insurers 21 days to file a response to Shore's civil claim.
Forgotten Treasures say it operates an international treasure hunt to raise money for cancer research.
In May 2016, Shore was promoting the hunt at an event in Ladner. After the event, Shore took the eagle sculptures to his car and was allegedly jumped by thieves.
Delta police say the investigation into the theft and alleged assault is on-going, but couldn’t provide any further information.
