Statue stolen from Boy Scouts office in northeast Wichita

In the two years it has graced the grounds in front of the Quivira Council Boy Scouts of America offices, the bronze statue of a soaring eagle had become something of a drawing card.

“It is a beautiful piece of art,” said Mike Johnson, chief executive of the Quivira Council. “Eagle Scouts get their picture taken in front of it.”

But someone stole the eagle late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, ripping it from the concrete base.

“It hurts – it does,” Johnson said of the theft.

Police and council officials are reviewing security video to see whether they can spot suspects or the vehicle used in the crime.

The statue, which is worth an estimated $8,000, is about 5 feet tall. The soaring eagle had a wing span of perhaps 4 feet, Johnson said.

The artwork weighs at least 200 pounds.

“It was not done on a lark,” Johnson said of the theft.

Police have alerted local scrap metal dealers in the event metal thieves are responsible. Anyone with information about the case is being asked to call 911.

Quivira Council officials have taken to social media sites to spread word about the crime.

Johnson said the artwork was donated to the council about four years ago, then placed in its current setting just to the right of the entryway when the council’s new offices were built about two years ago, near 32nd Street North and Oliver.

It was in the backyard of a Wichita house until the property was sold and the new owners didn’t want it. The Realtor donated it to the council.

“We’re hopeful it will come back,” Johnson said.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Statue stolen from Boy Scouts office in northeast Wichita."