NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A New Haven war memorial has been targeted by scrap metal thieves, according to police.

Police said the historic fountain on the New Haven Green was picked apart by the thieves.

"The thing is, when someone does something like this, it's like stealing from everyone in the city," said Robert Levine, of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

Bronze nozzles that guide streams of water around the World War I monument were stripped from the fountain's foundation. Eight bronze light fixtures were also taken.

"I think it's really bad. It's sad when people do something like this. The city spends money beautifying and people destroy it," said New Haven resident Al Williams.

Town officials said they believe that the thefts occurred over two separate nights.

The price of replacing the stolen parts is estimated to be about $15,000 to $20,000. Levine said that his guess is that the pieces would generate about $200 to $300 at a scrap metal yard.