DETROIT - Thieves who stole an 8-foot statue of Jesus Christ off a crucifix in Detroit may have been seeking copper to sell as scrap. Problem is, it's made of plaster.
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(Photo: AP Images / Paul Sancya)Rev. Barry Randolph holds part of the hand of an 8-foot statue of Jesus Christ, Wednesday, June 4, 2008, that was stolen off the cross on an exterior wall of the Church of the Messiah in Detroit.. Thieves seeking copper to sell as scrap may have stolen the statue, which is a green color and looks like copper, but was made with plaster.
The Rev. Barry Randolph said Wednesday that the statue at the Church of the Messiah is green and looks like copper, one of several metals coveted by thieves because of soaring scrap prices.
Thieves have damaged copper pipes and stolen aluminum gutters at the church over the past few months, said Donya Ray-Gregg, a member of the congregation, which over the years has dwindled from about 350 members to just 50.
It's unclear when the statue was snatched. A parishioner noticed it missing Monday from its perch on the side of the church, 10 feet above the ground. A small piece of plaster was found nearby.
The church has made a public plea for help.
"It is so crazy," Randolph said. "It's been there for so long and was a symbol of hope to a lot of people in this neighborhood."
Police were investigating, but department spokesman James Tate said it was doubtful thieves had mistaken the plaster statue for copper.
"People who steal copper know what copper is and what it feels like," Tate said. "There is no way they would think a plaster statue is some type of metal."
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Thou shalt not make unto me any graven images.
I agree with the police officer. It wasn't taken because it was mistaken for copper. This is kind of crazy, but my first thought was it was taken by some wacked out Protestant who doesn't like to see Christ on a cross (like the crucifixes the Catholics use).
To the Church of the Messiah, I'm sorry to hear of this. Let's pray for these vandals...
Maybe it was not stolen??