Duncanville police are asking the public’s help in finding a man who stole Civil War-era artifacts from a Houston family that fled to North Texas to escape Hurricane Ike.

The family, which was not identified by name, checked into a Hilton Garden Inn in the 800 block of N. Main Street a few weeks ago to wait out Hurricane Ike, said Tonya Lewis, a city spokeswoman.

They brought along an antique Civil War-era ivory cane handle that is in the shape of a horse’s head and engraved with the name GW Turk.  They also brought a gold pocket watch engraved with an image of woods and an eagle, as well as the name of Sadie.  Both items were in a safe.

When they checked out on Sept. 16, they forgot the safe.  They quickly returned, but the safe and its contents were missing, Ms. Lewis said.

Video surveillance footage shows a man in a blue T-shirt, jean shorts and blue shoes entering the hotel and leaving with the safe under his right arm, Ms. Lewis said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Duncanville police at 972-780-5037.