A search for a historic jade rock stolen from a Cache Creek business has taken police across a large part of the southern Interior, but the rock is still missing.

It was reported stolen from the Cariboo Jade and Gift Shop on Saturday night, and surveillance shows it happened between 11 p.m. and midnight.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says a truck and trailer with an excavator was parked at a hotel next to the business, and at 11:05 p.m. a man drove it next door and spent about 45 minutes loading the jade rock, which weighs 2,850 pounds.

Saunderson says the truck, an older-model grey and black Dodge pickup, drove off at 11:50 p.m., heading eastbound on Highway 1 towards Kamloops.

The trailer was later found abandoned by Kamloops RCMP up Deadman-Vidette Road, about 31 kilometres away from Highway 1, according to Saunderson. The truck had been spotted turning around there sometime after the theft.

Meanwhile, the truck itself believed to be used in the theft was found abandoned yesterday by Chase RCMP, but the jade rock itself and the excavator still have not been located.

Saunderson says the massive rock is valued between $20,000 and $50,000. Mounties from Ashcroft RCMP are following up on tips, saying “a boulder of that size would be difficult to hide.”

Cariboo Jade and Gifts says the truck was pulling an orange Kobota brand excavator. The company has made three Facebook posts with information, photos and surveillance video, asking for help to track down the precious rock. Those three posts combined have been shared about 9,000 times.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ashcroft RCMP at 250-453-2216 or CrimeStoppers.

(RCMP File Photo)