Hey pilgrim: John Wayne gun stolen from SE Portland movie shop

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Police are searching for the man who they said stole a pair of guns that appeared in Hollywood movies, one of which was used by John Wayne. 

At 1:15 p.m., a man entered Movie Madness in the 4000 block of Southeast Belmont Street for about 25 minutes when he broke into a locked display cabinet and stole two guns. One gun is a Winchester rifle used by Wayne in the 1962 film, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." The other is a shotgun used by William Holden in the 1969 film, "The Wild Bunch."

Police said the man is a white male in his 30s to 40s who has a stocky build. He had no facial hair, was bald, wearing a white T-shirt, shorts, a backpack, and riding a dark-colored mountain bike.

The owner of Movie Madness, Mike Clark, has been collecting movie memorabilia for his store for more than 20 years. Because of that, he's covered every angle of his store with surveillance video, which recorded the culprit from the time he entered the store until the time he left.

"He kept going around the store and he'd come back and jimmy it some more and go back and forth," Clark said. "Probably in about 20 minutes he had this open and had both the weapons."

The man tried to stuff the one-of-a-kind guns -- which are props and don't shoot actual bullets -- down his shorts, sort of reminiscent like the Keystone Cops or Charlie Chaplin. but unlike the classic comedies, the man stealing the guns is real.

"I'm thinking I want to clobber him for doing this," Clark said.

Everything in Clark's collection is priceless to him. But some pieces, like the Winchester, have special value.

"The man who was the prop master on this film, worked with John Wayne, was a personal friend of mine," Clark said. "That's how I got this wonderful piece. He gave it to me before he died."

Anyone with information should call the Portland Police Bureau or email a tip.