Politics & Government

Update: City Offers $5,000 Reward to Help Catch Reagan Statue Vandal

Councilman Keith Curry proposed the idea for a reward at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The city of Newport Beach is offering a $5,000 reward to help find the vandal that tried to pull down a bronze statue of former President Ronald Reagan from a park, a police official reported today.

The idea for the reward was proposed at Tuesday night's City Council meeting by Councilman Keith Curry. To assist in the capture of the vandal, Curry requested the city manager and police chief work together to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for damaging the sculpture.

"This was a sad and tragic assault on our community," Curry said. "The city will be vigorously pursuing this case and will prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law."

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The was reported early Sunday and came less than a month after at Bonita Sports Park. According to a witness, the would-be thief tried to remove the statue by using a rope and attaching it to a truck.

"An extensive search of the area was conducted," said police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe. "However the suspect was not located."

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The male suspect was last seen wearing dark clothing and fled the scene in a tan, early 2000’s model pickup truck with an extended cab.

"No matter your political beliefs, we as a community stand together in condemning this cowardly and senseless vandalism. It will not stand in Newport Beach," Curry said.

Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Gardner said she was uncomfortable with providing the reward through the general fund.

"We have so many crimes in this city that take place and we don't set out a reward for them," Gardner said. "Maybe some of us could contribute instead of taking it out of the general fund."

Mayor Mike Henn and Curry said Tuesday they would make contributions toward the reward. City spokeswoman Tara Finnigan confirmed late Wednesday the reward money is coming from non-city funds.

The statue was damaged in the incident and left tilting off its foundation. A city crew removed it for repairs. It is unknown when the repairs will be done, but Curry said the artist is working to determine the most effective ways of repairing the damage so it can be reinstated. The city is also looking at ways to keep the statue—and all of the city's public art—protected.

Anyone with information about the statue vandalism should contact Detective Pete Carpentieri at 949-644- 3772 or pcarpentieri@nbpd.org.


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