Cops Hunt for Stolen $50K Bronze Jesus Statue in Southern California
Police search for suspects who stole a $50K bronze Jesus statue from a church, fearing it may be destroyed for scrap.
POLICY WIRE — Santa Ana, United States — Authorities in Southern California are urgently seeking two men accused of stealing a $50,000 bronze Jesus statue from a local church, raising fears that the religious artifact could be destroyed or sold for its metal value.
The crime occurred early on August 30 at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church in Santa Ana, where two individuals used an electric cutting tool to sever the statue at its ankles. Surveillance footage shows the suspects dragging the sculpture across the campus and toward Segerstrom High School, where they reportedly loaded it into a waiting vehicle before fleeing the scene.
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The remaining parts of the statue—two hollow bronze feet still affixed to the base—were left behind, sparking concerns about the potential destruction of the religious artwork. This incident follows a similar attack in April, when vandals damaged the same statue, causing significant property damage. Police have released video in hopes of identifying the suspects, including one wearing a distinctive T-shirt that may help lead to their capture.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
