By Ann Rubin
Belleville, IL (KSDK) - Investigators are trying to get to the bottom of an art heist in Belleville.
They say someone made off with a large sculpture from Lindenwood University's Belleville campus.
It stood between the Student Center and the Welcome Center. The school says someone ripped it off its concrete base and carted it away.
Made of stainless steel and glass, it was nearly nine feet tall. It was the work of artist and Marianist monk, Brother Mel Meyer.
The sculpture was worth about $8,500, but to people on campus, it was priceless.
"To me it was irritating that someone would come on to our campus and feel that they had the ability to take something that is so special to us," said Dean of Students and Director of Security, Dr. Angela Wingo.
But around 2:30 am Friday, that's what happened.
The school quickly went back to scan their surveillance video.
"When we finally hit on the right camera we noticed that two individuals were running down a side street on the east side of campus going toward our housing project. They were carrying the statue," said Wingo.
They say the two dumped the sculpture in a ditch. Then they pulled around a small pickup truck, retrieved the statue, and tossed it in the back. Belleville Police have been called in to investigate.
"Our initial thoughts are somebody wanted it for a gag or for the value of it, either resale or scrap. There's any number of possibilities," said Capt. Don Sax.
Lindenwood's Belleville Campus is currently displaying some of Brother Mel's other works, but they say this one was different. The Glass Tower, as it was known, was meant to be a permanent fixture on campus. It lasted only three months.
"We will pay $500 for the safe return of the statue, no questions asked, and that will be if the statue is returned in its original order," said Wingo.
Anyone with information can call Belleville Police or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
KSDK