War memorabilia disappears from Naples Airport museum

Some historical items have gone missing at the Museum of Military Memorabilia tucked inside the Naples Municipal Airport terminal.

Nostalgic visitors can view thousands of war medals, photos, uniforms and newspaper clippings at the museum, which now is at the center of a grand theft investigation.

Museum President Robert McDonald told Naples police last week that he noticed several items had been removed from the locked display cases about the same time a longtime volunteer resigned Jan. 21, according to a police report.

McDonald told police that he tried contacting the volunteer but hasn't heard back about the missing items.

The police report didn't say how many and what kind of items were missing. McDonald declined to comment Saturday at the museum.

More: Car burglars strike in South Lee

In the report, McDonald said he and the museum's board members think the volunteer also might have taken donated items that were never recorded in the museum's archives. McDonald said he has been contacted by several people who said they donated items and never received a signed document transferring ownership of the items.

The military museum was founded in 2006 and has garnered more than 10,000 artifacts, many of which are on display at the airport.