Stolen Bronze Statue Returned to Norwalk 

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HMG-CN Community Wire

A bronze sculpture reported missing from Norwalk’s Civic Center Lawn has been located and returned to the City. The location of the waving, pigtailed young girl in suspenders was reported by an Anaheim metals recycling center upon learning that the piece was registered stolen on the website scraptheftalert.com, a tool used by law enforcement to communicate theft to the scrap metal industry.

“We want to thank the media for taking an interest. Without their outreach, we may not have been able to get to the sculpture in time,” said Mayor Marcel Rodarte. “The City also commends the scrap metal recyclers, who took the high road and called our Sheriff’s Station.   Everyone’s quick response brought this valuable part of our community back home.”

The statue, originally installed in 2000 as part of the City’s “Looking to the Future” art work, was taken from the corner of Imperial Highway and Norwalk Boulevard, and has a value of over $18,000. The scrap value was approximated at $100.

No arrests have been made. Detectives are continuing their investigation.

Norwalk, California, incorporated in 1957, ranks as Los Angeles County’s 15th largest city with 110,000 residents and 5,000 businesses. The family-focused, business-friendly community is located between downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, and is home to Los Angeles County’s Superior Court, Registrar’s Office, Regional Library, Sheriff’s Station, Transportation Center, and Cerritos College.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station at      (562) 863-8711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers hotline       at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or text “TIPLA” to 274637.