Large stolen emerald recovered

This from the City News Service:

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced
today the recovery of a stolen 850-pound emerald -- reportedly worth $370 million --
but released few details about the case.
The so-called "Bahia Emerald" was recovered last Friday in Las Vegas, according to a
sheriff's department news release.
The gem was stolen from a secured vault in South El Monte in September
and later warehoused in the Nevada gambling town, said Lt. Thomas Grubb of the
sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau.
The unidentified individuals who were in possession of the emerald in Las Vegas
initially agreed to release it once the lawful owner was identified, but deputies
returned to the prearranged location armed with a court order, according to
Grubb.
Grubb said he was precluded from releasing information regarding the owner of the
stone because of pending litigation. He added it was difficult to determine details
about the rightful owner because so many people were involved with the stone.
"A judge is going to have to rule on who the rightful owner is," Grubb said. "There
is some civil litigation involved, but there will also be criminal proceedings."
No arrests were made, but the investigation continues, he said.
The stone, which reportedly contains the largest spires of emeralds in the world, is
being stored by the sheriff's department pending release to the lawful owner. The
emerald is believed to be the second largest stone of its kind in the world,
according to the sheriff's department.