World Series ring stolen from Mount Vernon home of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick

Mount Vernon police are on the lookout for the hefty diamond-encrusted World Series Championship ring belonging to hometown hero Kyle Kendrick, apparently stolen when burglars forced their way into his empty home last week.

Kendrick, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was with the team when his house was burglarized between March 30 and April 1, police said.

Lt. Chris Cammock said investigators aren't sure why the home alarm system failed to go off and are looking into whether burglars disabled the alarm.

Detectives believe thieves spent several hours inside the home, because of the sheer volume of items taken. Thieves somehow broke into Kendrick's safe, where his 2008 championship ring was stored, and took a framed Ken Griffey Jr. jersey off the wall. Thieves also took baseball gloves and bats, items that were keepsakes from different stages in Kendrick's career, as well as televisions, computers and other high-end electronics, Cammock said.

Major League Baseball reported the ring contained 103 diamonds in a white-gold setting.

Cammock said that he doesn't know an appraisal price for the ring, but called it "priceless." He said that Kendrick had the ring insured.

Investigators are searching for tips from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the neighborhood that weekend. At this point, police are unable to say what time of day the burglary occurred. Kendrick's home was on the market and frequented by real-estate agents and prospective homebuyers. There was an open house at the home on March 27.

Police are looking into anyone who has recently had access to the home. Cammock said investigators are looking into whether the break-in is connected to a similar burglary recently at a house about a mile away. High-end electronics and jewelry were also taken in that burglary.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Det. Brandon Young at 360-336-6255 or police dispatch at 360-428-3211.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com