AKRON, Ohio - March 23, 2000 - Roadway Express, Inc.(NASDAQ: ROAD) today presented a $50,000 special reward to Willie Fulgear, who found most of the Oscar statuettes that had been stolen from the motor carrier's dock.
The special reward is in addition to the $50,000 reward Roadway announced for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
"The theft of the Oscars was an unfortunate incident that is embarrassing to Roadway and the 28,000 employees who do their jobs with professionalism and integrity, each and every day," said James D. Staley, president and chief operating officer. "We take full responsibility for all of our customers' freight, and we will not tolerate theft.
"All of us at Roadway sincerely appreciate Willie Fulgear's help in solving the mystery of the missing Oscars, and we are happy that he did the right thing by turning them in when he found them."
Staley added, "We regret the inconvenience this theft has caused the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But, we are very pleased that the Academy Awards ceremony will go on this Sunday night - Oscars and all. A great deal of activity and effort was involved not only to
find the missing shipment, but those responsible for the theft. We appreciate the outstanding work of the Los Angeles Police Department, and our deepest thanks go out to everyone who has played a role in solving this case."
When it was discovered that the Oscar shipment was missing, Staley said, Roadway's internal security unit began an immediate investigation to find the missing freight, bringing in a significant portion of the company's security force to conduct the investigation. At the same time, Roadway notified the Los Angeles Police Department and engaged Kroll Associates, an international investigative firm, to assist with the internal probe. In addition to announcing the $50,000 reward, the company contacted the manufacturer and offered to cover all costs to produce replacements in time for Sunday's awards ceremony.
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