Thieves Steal Gold Bar Worth $550,000 from Maritime Museum

Two thieves stole a gold bar-recovered from a shipwreck of a Spanish galleon off the Florida Keys-worth an estimated $550,000.

The 11 inch, 74.85-ounce gold bar was taken Wednesday from the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum where it had been on display for over 20 years.

The bar was locked in a transparent case, with a hallowed center that allowed visitors to the museum to touch it. The thieves were caught on security cameras, and images of the two suspects are posted on the museum's website (www.melfisher.org), police and the FBI are searching for the pictured men. The museum announced that their insurance company is offering a $10,000 reward for the return of the bar.

The gold bar was recovered in 1980 from the 1622 Santa Margarita shipwreck, which Mel Fisher discovered. The ship was filled with gold bars, jewelry and silver coins.

1st Photo Credit: Miami Herald/Florida Keys News Bureau