Stolen Native American artifacts recovered in unincorporated Escondido

San Diego County sheriff’s detectives arrested a man on Saturday suspected of stealing precious Native American artifacts from Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center.

The suspect, 32-year-old Sonny Hunter, was arrested on charges of burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen property and has been booked at the Vista Detention Facility.

Detectives believe Hunter is the man who on Thursday entered the casino, opened a plexiglass case and stole six artifacts belonging to the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, officials said. No further details about the artifacts were given.

They found all six artifacts after entering Hunter’s house in unincorporated Escondido Saturday morning with a search warrant, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department. They also found Donald Morrow, 37, hiding in Hunter’s home with a loaded firearm. Morrow was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant and on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Tribal members celebrated the recovery of the artifacts.

“The stolen artifacts are highly significant to the Rincon Tribe and the Luiseño culture,” said Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Tribe in a statement. “These pieces are considered priceless and irreplaceable, to us and our history. We wish to thank the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and our Harrah’s security team for keeping us updated throughout the investigation and working tirelessly to recover these stolen items.”