Abominable act ends happily for sasquatch

An 8-foot-tall sasquatch taken from a downtown Spokane store was recovered this week at Medical Lake High School.

The steel sculpture was taken from Roost, a home décor store at 7 W. Main St., overnight on Tuesday, said co-owner Joy Arch.

She said the theft appeared to be a prank, but now she is left with the heavy job of retrieving the sculpture from Medical Lake’s police department.

It’s going to take a large truck and at least three strong people to lift and load the artwork for its return, Arch said.

The statue was cut from a thick sheet of steel by her husband, Matt Arch, who used a plasma torch for the job. He installed the piece about a year ago against the outer wall of the business adjacent to Division Street, securing it with bolts and chains. Roost specializes in “shabby chic” decor and antiques.

Sasquatch had become something of a landmark, drawing attention from tourists and regulars in the neighborhood. The sculpture sported a witch’s hat last Halloween, among other holiday decorations, Joy Arch said.

Arch said that the thieves must have planned the heist and moved quickly, possibly loading the art into a covered van for the getaway.

“It was thought out,” she said.

“I’m glad he’s returned,” she added. “He’s kind of a fixture.”