SEATTLE — University of Washington police are investigating after suspects broke into the Athletics Department earlier this week.
Jake Otten, UW's director of Football Technology, told KING 5 that a dozen of his championship rings were taken. "It was kind of shocking," said Otten.
A UW Athletics spokesperson said it happened between Sept. 4 and 5 on the Seattle campus.
Otten said on Thursday, he didn't initially realize the 12 rings were gone until an email was sent out warning people to check their belongings after intruders had been in the building.
"I'm not looking at my rings every morning, so I didn't even notice," Otten said.
Then he started looking around.
"There was a pit in my stomach when I saw all the ring boxes open," he said.
In total, 12 of his championship rings were stolen. Three are from his time at UW, two from Cal Poly, two from Kansas State, and five from North Dakota State. "This is what we all strive for. It signifies your hard work at the end of the year."
Otten said his name is on each ring and he doesn't think they'll be worth a lot, maybe a couple hundred dollars. He hopes the symbols of his hard work will soon be back in his possession. "Those rings mean a lot to me," he said.
UW Police shared, and later deleted, a photo of two people they wanted to identify. KING 5 has reached out for more information about why the agency deleted the photos and has not yet heard back.
Otten responded to the original post on social media saying in part, "Would be awesome if someone could find these two guys and return my 12 championship rings to me… not great people in my book."
Otten said he also filed a report with the Seattle Police Department; the department has not yet responded to KING 5's request for information on the incident.
In a statement, UW said it is following up on all leads.
If you have any information about the thefts, or where the stolen rings might be, you are asked to email uwpolice@uw.edu or call 206-685-8973.