A life-size bronze statue was stolen from Glenmere Park in Greeley, police said. A white box truck seen nearby is believed to be involved.
GREELEY, Colo. — Greeley police are investigating after a beloved bronze statue was stolen from Glenmere Park in broad daylight Tuesday afternoon.
Police said “The Prize Catch,” a life-size bronze sculpture, was stolen around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators believe thieves cut the statue off at the feet to remove it from its base before taking it from the park.
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Witnesses reported seeing a white box truck in the immediate area around the time of the theft, and police believe the vehicle may be connected to the case.
According to the Greeley Arts Commission, the city purchased “The Prize Catch” in 1999. The sculpture depicted “a little boy holding a fish; it was his prize catch,” Public Art Coordinator Kim Snyder said.
Snyder estimated the bronze statue weighed about 150 pounds. The city purchased the artwork for around $6,000 decades ago.
“This was a work of art by the artist; it was very meaningful to him,” Snyder said.
Over the years, the statue also became meaningful to the surrounding neighborhood and visitors who frequented the park.
“It’s been here for so long that the whole community is just very attached to it,” Snyder said.
City officials also expressed concern that the statue could be sold or melted down for scrap metal.
“What little money you get from melting down the sculpture is not worth the loss to the community,” Snyder said.
Police are asking anyone with home security footage or dashcam video that may have captured the white box truck or suspicious activity near Glenmere Park Tuesday afternoon to contact the Greeley Police Department’s non-emergency number at 970-350-9605.
Investigators are also asking local metal recyclers to watch for bronze material that could be connected to the stolen sculpture.
The Art Commission said it has not decided whether the city will replace the statue or install another piece of artwork in its place.
