THIEVES armed with a blow torch have stolen and likely already melted down the $13,000 metal fishing boy statue at Rotary’s Jo Wheatley All Abilities Play Space in Dalkeith.
The incident occurred last Thursday night.
“It appears the statue was cut off with oxy-acetylene equipment and we believe it was stolen for its brass so, consequently, it is likely the statue has already been melted down,” City of Nedlands chief executive Greg Trevaskis said.
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READ NOWThe statue was only installed in July, a month after the official launch of the playground backed by the Rotary clubs of Nedlands, Subiaco and West Perth and the council.
The 50kg statue was donated by residents Jo and Vern Wheatley, who also donated the majority of the money for the playground as a reminder of Mr Wheatley’s childhood fishing at the nearby Swan River.
Mr Trevaskis said the statue’s thieves would have needed to have made a “concerted effort” because it was bolted down.
Detective-Sergeant Paul Vojkovich said no vehicle was seen in the area and CCTV footage from the council would be reviewed.
He said the theft was not connected to any stealing of copper pipe in the area recently.