Police issue two warrants in 2012 vandalism of Wichita troll sculpture

Call it the Case of the Troll with the Missing Arm.

It may have just been solved.

A tip from a vigilant resident led to two warrants being issued this week in the vandalism two years ago of Wichita’s popular troll sculpture. The troll spooks and intrigues people near the Keeper of the Plains landmark in downtown Wichita.

Police issued two arrest warrants on Thursday, police Lt. James Espinoza said Friday.

A person noticed posts on Facebook connected with the arm, which was sawed off and stolen from the troll statue two years ago, he said. The Facebook posts included photos of a suspect with the arm, Espinoza said.

Police investigated, found the arm and the troll’s stolen medallion. They issued warrants for a man, 21, and a woman, 20, Espinoza said.

The pair are suspected of vandalism and possession of stolen property. The crimes in this case would be felonies because the statue was valued at more than $5,000, Espinoza said.

The troll is 200 pounds of bronze, created by Wichita artist Connie Ernatt. After it was damaged, she took the troll back to her workshop, fixed him and helped put him back under his grate near the Westar Energy plant.

City employees installed 5-inch bolts and other material to make it hard for anyone else to break in and vandalize the troll again.

This story was originally published August 29, 2014 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Police issue two warrants in 2012 vandalism of Wichita troll sculpture."