WFSB Channel 3Massive bronze statues stolen from Waterbury cemetery

Massive bronze statues stolen from Waterbury cemetery

Waterbury police are investigating the theft of two massive bronze statues that stood at the entrance of a Brass City cemetery for more than a century.

Police said the discovery was made Saturday when a local veteran's group arrived at the Riverside Cemetery to lay wreaths on grave sites.

Bob Dorr was at Riverside Cemetery over the weekend placing wreaths at the front entrance in honor of veterans.

"It is very disturbing, without a doubt," Dorr said.

The infamous hooded statue of death couldn't have been an easy item to steal, according to the Waterbury Police Department.

The bronze statue is estimated to weigh around 700 pounds, and more than one person was needed to pull the theft off.

Also missing is a statue of a woman writing on the tombstone of Joseph Smith, which was erected in 1920.

"To attack public placements of memorials, war memorials in cemeteries to feed their habits is a despicable, despicable event," Dorr said.

Police  think  the thieves likely stole the statues to sell  for scrap metal,  but all the dealers Eyewitness News spoke to said they should think again.

 "These kinds of thefts just make us sick and we do everything we can to try to help catch these guys and turn them over to law enforcement," said Eric Albert, of Albert Bros, Inc.

  Waterbury Police Cap Chris Corbett says bronze isn't as valuable as copper but is still worth a few dollars per pound.  Police think one memorial was stolen Friday and the other Saturday.

Police  think the thieves likely stole the statues to sell for scrap metal, but all of the dealers Eyewitness News spoke to said they should think again.

"These kinds of thefts just make us sick and we do everything we can to try to help catch these guys and turn them over to law enforcement,” said Eric Albert, of Albert Bros, Inc.

 Waterbury Police Captain Chris Corbett says bronze isn't as valuable as copper but is still worth a few dollars per pound.  Police think one memorial was stolen Friday and the other Saturday.

Anyone with information about the statue's whereabouts is asked to call police.

Copyright 2011 WFSB. All rights reserved.