Handwritten Harry Potter prequel stolen in burglary

FILE - In this June 10, 2008 file photo, a member of staff at Waterstones holds a story written by JK Rowling donated by the author, for the What's Your Story? auction in aid of English PEN and Dyslexia Action, in London. West Midlands Police said Friday May 12, 2017, that the handwritten Harry Potter prequel has been stolen along with some jewelry, during a burglary in Birmingham, central England between April 13 and 24. (Joel Ryan/PA via AP, File) FILE - In this June 10, 2008 file photo, a member of staff at Waterstones holds a story written by JK Rowling donated by the author, for the What's Your Story? auction in aid of English PEN and Dyslexia Action, in London. West Midlands Police said Friday May 12, 2017, that the handwritten Harry Potter prequel has been stolen along with some jewelry, during a burglary in Birmingham, central England between April 13 and 24. (Joel Ryan/PA via AP, File)

By Associated Press May 12, 2017 1 min read

LONDON (AP) – J.K. Rowling is urging Harry Potter fans not to buy a handwritten prequel to the boy wizard’s adventures that was stolen during a burglary in England.

Rowling wrote the 800-word story for a 2008 charity auction, where it sold for 25,000 pounds ($49,000 at the time).

West Midlands Police said Friday that it was stolen, along with some jewelry, during a burglary in Birmingham, central England between April 13 and 24.

Rowling tweeted a picture of the manuscript Friday with the message: “PLEASE DON’T BUY THIS IF YOU’RE OFFERED IT.”

Investigating officer Paul Jauncey appealed to any Potter fans who see the story or are offered it for sale to contact police.