A 44-year-old man has been charged with theft in connection with the disappearance of a valuable bronze sculpture from a Christchurch community center, which authorities believe was destroyed and sold as scrap metal. The artwork, titled "Flight," was stolen from the Mt Pleasant Community Center and was valued at $95,000.

Police were first alerted to the theft on June 6, when the sculpture went missing from the community facility. Acting Detective Sergeant Steph Trengrove said the investigation has been challenging due to the artwork's alleged destruction. "Unfortunately, our investigation indicates that the sculpture has been destroyed and much of it sold as scrap metal, with only small pieces being recovered," Trengrove stated.

The stolen artwork was created by renowned Christchurch sculptor Llew Summers in 2018 and holds significant artistic and cultural value. Standing 2.2 meters tall and weighing 2.2 tonnes, "Flight" depicts a large bird in flight and represents the final major bronze work completed by Summers before his death in 2019 at the age of 72. The sculpture's loss has deeply impacted both the art community and local residents.

"The theft of the sculpture has deeply upset the community, and police have worked hard to locate the artwork and identify the person responsible," Trengrove explained. The detective acknowledged the devastating effect the crime has had on the area, noting that the community has lost a significant piece of public art that held both monetary and sentimental value.

The investigation involved collaboration with various community members and industry professionals who provided crucial assistance. "We would like to warmly thank key community members who assisted officers with information and support throughout the investigation, including those from the scrap metal industry," Trengrove said. This cooperation was instrumental in helping police track down leads and ultimately identify the suspect.

Despite successfully apprehending the alleged perpetrator, authorities expressed sympathy for the community's loss. "While we are pleased to have apprehended the offender, police acknowledge the devastation the residents feel in losing such significant artwork," the detective stated. The case highlights the vulnerability of public art installations and the irreplaceable nature of such cultural assets.

The accused is scheduled to appear in Christchurch District Court on September 16 to face theft charges. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting public art and the severe consequences of such crimes, not only in terms of financial loss but also the cultural and emotional impact on communities.