Stolen sculptures saved from the scrapyard

With metal prices high, thefts of copper have become epidemic -- sculpture included. I can't but wonder how complicit scrapyard operators are in all this. Or are they just monumentally ignorant?

Three people have been arrested for stealing bronze sculptures worth an estimated $1 million from an artist after some of the artwork turned up at at least two scrap metal yards.

Vermont State Police arrested Joshua Staples, 18; Anni Wells, 26; and Roger Chaffee, 29, of the Troy and Newport areas on Dec. 24.

The three were charged with possession and sale of stolen property after 23 sculptures were recovered from a scrap metal yard in Hinesburg, which paid more than $4,000 for them, police said. More sculptures were being returned from North Adams, Mass., police said Wednesday.

Posted by David on December 29, 2007 11:05 PM