HOUSTON – Rich Richey, with Quilters Apothecary said, "I'd always hoped it, but I kind of didn't even think we'd ever see it again."
Several days after being stolen, a trailer that had more than $125,000 in handmade quilts has been returned to its rightful owner.
However, most of the quilts are gone and anything else still inside was left damaged.
"Basically, everything's been thrown, I don't know what's busted and to be honest I don't think it's all here or even close," Richey explained.
The trailer was stolen from of a hotel parking lot earlier this week with all the owners of quilters apothecary had. They were in town for the world's largest quilt convention.
Investigators say a tip from the community led them to that trailer along with several other vehicles stolen by an apparent theft ring.
"This is another prime example of the community working with police to apprehend bad guys," said Sgt. Cedrick Collier, of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "Without the community's help we wouldn't be standing here today."
Said Jamie Wallen, with Quilters Apothecar: "How can we not be so thankful so far with what we have?"
So far, no arrests have been made in the case, but investigators say they are pursuing an investigation of several suspects.
They say the top priority was to get this trailer back the owners in time for the convention as the investigation and search for the missing quilts continues.
"There's so much at stake for everybody. For us it's our us it's our livelihood. Everything we've worked for, absolutely everything," Wallen said.