Thief returns stolen Michigan Central Station clock to Ford

DETROIT (WJBK) - A piece of stolen history is going home.

The thief who stole a clock from the Michigan Central Station has returned it after Ford's purchase of the iconic structure. 

The clock once hung on a train station gateway.  On Friday afternoon the Henry Ford museum was contacted by the thief saying the clock wanted to "go home." Officials contacted Ford Motor Land Development Corp. and the Ford Archives.

The following text messages were exchanged according to source with Ford.

Thief: "I only have the clock. No other material. I left it leaning against a burned-out building on Lawton. It is between Warren and Buchanan. The building is between the train tracks and 4470 Lawton. Please send two men and a truck immediately. It has been missing for over 20 years and is ready to go home. Thank you so much."

Ford Land: "Thank you! I will try to send a crew right now."

Thief: "Please have them lay it face up in the truck. The paint is very delicate. You can tell the front from the back by looking at the exposed legs."

A text message sent later from thief read, "Thank you so much. I loved that clock and I loved that station."

The train station first opened in 1914 until being shuttered in 1988. It was bought by Manuel "Matty" Moroun in the mid-1990s and was a symbol of Detroit's decay.

Last week it was announced Moroun sold the historic 18-story 500,000 square-foot station to Ford, which is planning an announcement Tuesday morning which will reveal its plans to rehab and use the structure.

It will be open to the public for viewing from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.