Daily Art Jab for March 28, 2011

from the SD Union-Tribune and the Associated Press

Art thieves targeting statues in San Diego County

 

San Diego County authorities are trying to stop art thieves who've made off with at least 18 metal, wood and concrete statues - including a 600-pound bronze moose.

The North County Times says the thieves have stolen nearly $44,000 worth of lawn art since October. Most of the thefts occurred in San Marcos and Ramona.

The artworks included Buddha yard statues, a life-sized aluminum colt, a 3-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary and a copper statue of three children that's valued at $15,000.

Sgt. Christina Bavencoff says detectives suspect that the metal works may have been broken up and sold to recyclers while the other pieces may have been resold.