Teen Arrest In Theft Of Weasel Statue

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy Friday and recovered a statue of a weasel.

“Chance Encounter with a Longtailed Weasel,” by Leavenworth artist Gretchen Daiber, was stolen after a Centennial Park concert last week. It was one of 24 such figures placed in the downtown area by the Downtown Association for its Art on the Avenues project.

Detective John Kruse said police also planned to arrest two other boys, 15 and 16, for investigation of second-degree theft in connection with the incident.

The 14-year-old, who has not been formally charged, was released to his parents.

Police said the Downtown Association received a tip that the boys had stolen the statue and officers found it in a barn near the 14-year-old’s residence.

A second statue, a covey of quail by Wenatchee artist William F. Reese, was also vandalized last week and has been removed from its location at Washington Trust Bank for repair.