UPDATE: The butterfly stolen from the WCA sculpture was
annonymously returned.
UPDATE: April 4, 11:00 a.m. - Boise Police have just been
informed by employees of the WCA that the butterfly stolen March
24th from the scultpure at N. 8th and W. Washington Streets was
apparently returned overnight.
A WCA employee says a citizen walking his dog, who had seen the
story in the local news yesterday, pointed it out to the
employee as she arrived to work about 9:00 this morning. The
butterfly was apparently left laying near a bench close the
shelter's entry.
At this point the investigation into who took the butterfly
remains open.
Boise Police, including the lead detective on the
case would like to thank the local media for sharing the story
of the theft and ongoing investigation. Several citizens did call
into Crime Stoppers following reports on the case. Again, those
leads remain under investigation.
Officers would also like to thank the WCA for their help and
cooperation. Members of the BPD are happy to see the butterfly
returned to this very special piece of public art.
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Boise, April 3, 2012 - Boise Police are hoping citizens can help
officers identify several suspects who appear connected to the
theft of part of a valuable sculpture outside a Boise domestic
violence shelter.
Boise Police were notified of the theft late last month. The
focal point of a sentimental sculpture, a butterfly was stolen the
afternoon of Saturday, March 24th. The sculpture sat on the corner
of N. 8th and W. Washington Streets in front of the Women's and
Children's Alliance.
"This sculpture has been a symbol of
hope to the people who've sought shelter at the WCA," said Sgt.
Randy Buzzini of the Boise Police Property Crimes unit. "Our goal
is to get the butterfly returned and have that image restored for
all those families in crisis who come to the WCA for help."
What Happened: By viewing security tapes of the
incident, it appears the butterfly was taken March 24th at
approximately 4:26 p.m. by three young males and a female.
The group appears to be junior high or high school age. As seen on
the video stills, one young male walks right up to the butterfly on
the sculpture, removes it and places it in a backpack carried by
the female - the individual with the ponytail. All four individuals
then continue walking north on N. 8th Street.
Previous Vandalism: The sculpture had been
damaged, also by a young male walking earlier that same morning
between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. according to images from the security
video. The young male was accompanied by two other males, broke the
butterfly off the sculpture and left it lying on the ground. Later
that morning, the butterfly had been placed back in it's rightful
position on the sculpture, although not secured. The theft occurred
that same afternoon. It's unknown at this time if the individual
who damaged the butterfly is the same person who later stole
it.
Value: The butterfly portion of the sculpture
is valued at approximately $1,000 - $2,000. The WCA purchased the
materials for the entire sculpture. The work to create it was
donated by the Boise Sculptor's Guild.
The victim, the Women's and Children's Alliance has posted on
their Facebook page they just want the butterfly sculpture back and
no questions will be asked if it's returned promptly.
Suspect Information: Anyone with information on
who the suspects may be is urged to contact Boise Police via Crime
Stoppers at 343-COPS. Citizens can also log onto
www.343cops.com, or text
CRIMES (or 274637), subject: Tip236. Tips can remain anonymous. A
reward of up to $1,000 is offered by Crime Stoppers for information
leading to the arrest of criminal suspects.
