CORNELIUS, N.C. -- The Cornelius home where the ex-wife and two daughters of former Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen live was broken into over Thanksgiving weekend and several priceless items were stolen.

Someone took memorabilia from the 1994 Olympics and some of Jansen’s gold medals – irreplaceable items that Jansen left for his children.

The family says it’s heartbroken and didn’t want to speak on camera.

Neighbor Jerri McElroy said the situation is tragic.

"I think it's terrible. Those are treasures that you keep for a lifetime and mean so much to them. I think it's really a crime. I hope they find (the stolen items),” she said.

Cornelius police said one way they're trying to track down the medals is by alerting area pawn shops. But so far, the items haven't turned up.

According to a search warrant, the victims know an area teen committed the crime. The warrant says the boy's father took him to the home to apologize and return some of the items.

Police searched the 15-year-old's home but couldn't say what they recovered.