Jason Burns, son of former NHL coach Pat Burns, tapes up the window of his mother's car on Tuesday in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

The Burns family received help from both the public and the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in the effort to recover items stolen from them on Tuesday.

Just hours after the funeral for legendary coach Pat Burns, thieves smashed a window of Line Burns's car early Tuesday morning. They made off with 30 autographed NHL jerseys, which were to be auctioned to raise money for an arena in Stanstead, Que., that was recently named after her husband.

Montreal police say the public is helping because officers are getting lots of credible tips. They say calls are coming in with good information, but it will likely take days to investigate each one.

Police are hoping they will be able to arrest a suspect in the case, and are continuing to search hockey memorabilia websites for the missing jerseys and other personal items stolen from the widow of NHL coach Pat Burns.

Police say they are on the lookout in case anyone tries to sell the items, including on the black market, anywhere the items could be found.

Investigators are also combing through the vehicle looking for forensic evidence that could help find the thief.

The thieves made off with many personal items belonging to the late coach, including not only the jerseys but also photos, a watch and a blanket that Burns used during palliative care before he died of cancer on Nov. 19.

Police issued a public appeal to the thieves, asking them to leave the stolen items somewhere safe for police to recover them.

"To give [the items] back to the family, that's the most important thing right now. Obviously we hope to solve the case, but what we want first is to get those items back for the family," said Montreal Police Const. Raphaël Bergeron.

Bergeron warned that anyone who buys the items could face criminal charges.

"They could also be facing charges of possession of stolen goods if they buy them and they get arrested in possession of [them]," he said.

Canadiens step in to support Stanstead arena

Some of the stolen items were to be sold at a fundraiser for the Pat Burns Arena in Stanstead, Que. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

The Canadiens have reached out to the Burns family, offering to do all they can to help raise funds for the Burns arena.

The organization offered to make sure the auction, which planned to sell the jerseys to raise funds, goes ahead as planned.

Organizers of the Pat Burns Arena fundraiser are still hoping the police and the public will work together to recover everything that was stolen.

Joseph Levy said his heart goes out to Burns's widow. He hopes the thief will return the items.

"Line, who has been with Pat through his battle with cancer, those were his souvenirs to her, and it's unimaginable now that she's lost her husband she's also lost memories of her husband," said Levy.

Police are asking anyone who comes in contact with any of the stolen objects, or who has helpful information, to call Info-Crime Montreal at 514-393-1133.