Metal thieves target statues in Oxnard and Ventura
OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT)-People driving by the Pacific Beverage Company in Oxnard may notice something missing.
The bronze Clydesdale is missing a front and rear leg.
It appears they broke through a fence to get them.
The parent company Jordano's Foodservice has asked artist Robin Cappon to make another.
The Jordano family commission the statue about 25 years ago as a nod to the company's Budweiser distribution. The Clydesdale is an iconic symbol a Anheuser-Busch.
Thieves also stole 2 of the 3 bronze horses and the statue of a girl at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Frankie Hernandez who works at the cemetery said it closes at 4 p.m.
"Someone purchased that spot because that horse statue was there so that is something they likes and they loved," said Hernandez, "You never think someone is going to steal from a cemetery, it is just sad that someone would do that, hopefully we do get it back, if not we are definitely going to replace it with another horse for the families."
Statutes of children, vandalized along Statham Boulevard, have been removed.
Dolphin statues used to welcome shoppers and diners at the entrance to Shopping at The Rose.
Residents said there are only about three out of ten remaining and it appear their tales have been stolen.
Alejandra Topete of Oxnard said it is hard to believe.
"Honestly, that is preposterous, " said Topete, "That is really crazy. I would have never thought or imagined that the dolphins would be missing. That is crazy."
Christopher Palacios, who was dining with friends at Chili's said he hopes law enforcement will find a way to crack down on the problem.
"If it's at different locations all across the city, especially at a cemetery, I think that's pretty messed up, so, I think, there should be more surveillance and more oversight into, like, these types of crimes," said Palacios, "but it definitely needs to be enforced.
People who see something are urged to say something by contacting their local police.
