Investigation Continues In Statue Theft At Landscape Arboretum

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Investigators are looking into an unusual theft at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Someone stole a Paul Granlund statue from the rose gardens sometime late last week. The sculpture was a gift from an Arboretum donor in 2013.

Walter Gysling of Excelsior noticed the disappearance of the popular sculpture during his daily walk on Friday.

"We take different routes. It's not all the time that we go through here but we're here almost every day," Gysling said. "It was a nice little statute, yeah."

Missing from its concrete perch is a 42-inch Paul Granlund statue called South Winds. The late Paul Granlund was a world renowned artist who hailed from Minnesota and spent years teaching at Gustavus Adolphus College.

"It's a real loss to us," said Barb DeGroot, of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

A gardener noticed the statue was missing earlier this week and workers think it disappeared between last Thursday night and Saturday morning.

"That was around the time Three-Mile Drive opened and we have few visitors up here," DeGroot said.

For the thief, it was a crime of opportunity. With few people around the culprit had enough time to cart off the 200 pound sculpture

"It was made out of bronze. It was hollow but it was still a substantial amount of metal," said Peter Moe, Arboretum Director of Operations.

The theft was not a quick smash and grab. Moe couldn't help but notice the care taken in its removal.

"We think it was someone who had the right tools and know how because there's no visible damage on the granite. There's no evidence of sawing or chiseling, so, someone knew the process," Moe said.

The arboretum is now relying on tips from the public and holding out hope the sculpture will eventually make a return.

"When you have a beautiful sculpture like this, that over 300,000 people would enjoy a year, and have it stolen to make money or put in private collection, it makes us angry," Moe said.

Carver County Sheriff swabbed for any DNA samples. There's also surveillance video of the area. The statue was valued at more than $10,000.