One suspect in Batavia statue toppling turns himself in

One of the three men charged with damaging a $35,000 statue in Batavia in late April turned himself in Friday, but the other two men facing charges have not, according to authorities.

Police said 43-year-old Steve Piron of the 800 block of Karen Road in Sandwich turned himself in Friday after he and two other men were charged with criminal damage to state-supported property.

Piron, Theodore Bittner and Thomas Bittner of Batavia are accused of toppling the bronze “Self-Made Man” statue at River and State streets on April 24, according to police.

Private donors paid $35,000 for the 8-foot-tall, 750-pound statue in the 1990s and gave it to the city.

Bail has been set at $25,000 for each of the men. Piron posted the required 10 percent and was released, police said.

Police originally said arrangements were being made for all three men to turn themselves in, but neither Bittner had done so as of Monday night.

The charge the men face is a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison if convicted.

City Administrator Bill McGrath said the statue will need to be sent back to the artist's studio in Colorado to be repaired, at a cost of up to $5,000.

Piron is due in court on May 24.