2 men in stolen antiques cases known to each other

Halifax police say two men facing charges in a case involving nearly 1,300 stolen artifacts are known to each other.

A stolen letter written by former U.S. president George Washington led police to arrest a second man on Monday in a massive stolen artifacts case in the Halifax area

RCMP searched a home in Sackville, N.S., on Friday and found the Washington letter, which had been taken from Dalhousie University Library Archives, along with seized sheet music written by Henry H. Tillman taken from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Other items were also seized.

The 23-year-old man is due in court next month on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and possession of stolen property.

In January, police charged 51-year-old John Mark Tillmann after seizing a treasure trove of antiques, rare books, documents and paintings allegedly stolen from across Atlantic Canada.

The thefts included rare editions of books such as Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, a full suit of armour, and a W.H. Yorke painting worth as much as $40,000.

He faces 27 charges including possession of stolen property and trafficking stolen property.

RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae wouldnt elaborate on the connection between the two men.