Bronze statue stolen from Pearland park
PEARLAND, TX
With their helmets on and peddling as fast as they can kids in Pearland flock to Centennial Park. However, there is something missing. The one symbol of the space commemorating it as a gathering spot for children, a bronze statue of a little girl perched atop this rock, is missing. Now all that is left are holes.
Parents at the park are not sure if the theft is a childish prank or an attempt to cash in on the bronze metal from which the statue was sculpted.
"There is always people stealing copper piping from people's ACs and stuff like that," said Eloi Castro.
Either way police are on the case just the same. The statue was manufactured in Baltimore at a cost of $3,000 to the City of Pearland and weighs up to 90 pounds. Police say it required manpower and a truck to remove.
"In this case, we are not sure if it was also a prank or if it was in fact stolen for the metal. It was a bronze statue," said Lt. Onesimo Lopez of the Pearland Police Department.
Placed next to the splash pad at Centennial Park, parents returning since summer say the empty rock now looks a little odd.
"I seen it, but it's been a while since I've actually come out here," said Castro.
The statue was reported missing November 16 by a Pearland Parks employee. However, police say it's possible it was stolen days before. Anyone with information is asked to call police. Investigators also hope any reputable scrap dealer would call authorities if it shows up at their yard.
