Reward offered in theft of St. Charles sculpture

A $600 reward is now being offered in the case of a bronze sculpture swiped last month from a St. Charles park.

Lake in the Hills artist Patricia Brutchin's piece "Winged Crawler" was reported stolen May 18 from Mt. St. Mary Park, where it was displayed in the Downtown St. Charles Partnership's 3rd Annual Sculpture in the Park series.

At the time, St. Charles police said a reward would be offered for information leading to an arrest or the sculpture's recovery, but authorities hadn't set an amount. This week, police spokesman Paul McCurtain said his department and the St. Charles Park District settled on a joint reward of $600.

McCurtain said police had no leads in the case but the investigation was ongoing.

The sculpture of a winged creature, somewhat gothic in design and dark in color, stands about 18 inches and weighs about 75 pounds. It was reportedly last seen May 11 at the park, just south of West Main Street along the Fox River.

Reward-seeking tipsters are asked to call (630) 377-4435. The artist also is soliciting tips at (224) 623-9957.