Bird Sculpture Stolen in Downtown Redmond
A popular bronze bird sculpture was stolen from its perch outside a downtown Redmond store, and many business owners said Wednesday they?re angry and they want the piece of artwork returned.
The sculpture was a 3-foot-tall blue heron, worth $8,400. Redmond police said it went missing sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Shannon Ecker was putting her sign in front of her bakery Tuesday morning when she noticed something strange.
?I just did a double-take,” Ecker said. ?I noticed that our statue is missing — and it’s a big statue.?
What is now a stump, with mangled metal left behind, used to be a big, beautiful sculpture. It was a blue heron named Grace, designed by local artist Kim Chavez.
?We were angry, but now we?re sad,? said Ecker. ?I do use it as a landmark to find my location, and in the summer there’s flowers around her. It’s just beautiful.?
The bird was one of several sculptures on the street corners of downtown Redmond. It was an outdoor gallery and each piece was on loan from the artists. The stolen sculpture has its price tag front and center, at $8,400.
?The city doesn’t own it,? said Jason Zlatkus, a business owner and chairman of the Downtown Redmond Business Association. ?Now, my first thought was, ?Wow, this hurts everyone.??
Zlatkus owns a store right next to the statue. He’s not sure if someone stole the sculpture for the value, because scrap bronze is only worth about $2 a pound.
He’s not sure if it’s kids just pulling a prank, but he said he?s willing to make a deal with the criminal.
?I would rather have the piece back, than try to be vindictive about punishment,? Zlatkus said. ?To me, if they brought it in here to me, I wouldn’t ask any questions. I would just be happy to have it back.?
Redmond police said they do not have any leads in the case, or suspect information. If anyone knows anything about the case, you?re asked to call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-87-876-TIPS, or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and could be eligible for a crash reward.
