Sorry for the poor quality of picture of the Angel, but it was the only one I could quickly find.
Now destroyed forever along with the inspiration it would have provided to any who might have been able to see it.
Posted on 03/18/2009 6:58:01 AM PDT by Born Conservative
Two men apologized Tuesday in Berks County Court before they were sentenced to state prison for stealing and destroying a brass statue of an angel from the National Center of Padre Pio Inc. near Barto in September.
John E. Hammond Jr. and Jamie L. Custer admitted they cut the 8-foot-tall, 1,200-pound "Angel of the Roses" into pieces and sold them as scrap for $952.
Hammond, 31, of Spring City, Chester County, was sentenced by Judge James M. Bucci to 21 months to six years in state prison.
"I am ashamed and embarrassed," Hammond said.
Custer, 31, Norristown, received one to two years in state prison plus six years of probation.
Custer said his actions were a dumb way to ruin his life.
The men were ordered to pay $89,000 in restitution.
(Excerpt) Read more at readingeagle.com ...
These two are scumbags and deserve what they might find in prison. Good luck on ever getting restitution. Bring back public flogging and that would be a better deterrent.
Obama’s Fault.
It would really be helpful to the 95% of FReepers (or more) who have no idea where Padre Pio shrine near Barto is located, if you’d put the state or country or nearest city in ( ) next to the title
Thanks
It would really be helpful to the 95% of FReepers (or more) who have no idea where Padre Pio shrine near Barto is located, if you’d put the state or country or nearest city in ( ) next to the title
Thanks
Sorry, don’t know why that double posted but I’ve been seeing it happen a lot this morning.
Looks like central Pennsylvania, USA.
It would seem the scrap dealer would’ve been able to tell this wasn’t just some “scrap” from the pieces. In Texas, they are going after scrap dealers who buy stuff that is obviously not scrap.
It was open season for awhile on the bronze vases, and markers at cemeteries. I think it’s slowed down a lot since they are going after dealers.
I wonder if these guys were meth heads, skin head wanna be’s, or just garden variety scum.
Sorry for the poor quality of picture of the Angel, but it was the only one I could quickly find.
Now destroyed forever along with the inspiration it would have provided to any who might have been able to see it.
Pennsylvania
Destruction of art works for their value as scrap metal or building materials is just one more indicator of a civilization in decline.
Southeast Pennsylvania
Berks County and Barto look to be in eastern PA. And since it didn't appear to be mentioned in the article, it should have been added alongside the title or in the "comment" section beneath the article.
Well, I was pretty close. I agree, it should be a standard practice to at least put a state in the title or keywords.
I usually do, but forgot this time. I am truly sorry for this omission.
thanx
What a pair of idiots. What a brilliant plan also. They rented a saw, and then ‘sliced the statue up’ It was most likely a reciprocating saw they rented, and since we can reasonably assume these two morons aren’t exactly the hard working type, I’d be willing to bet they did a most half assed job on ‘slicing’ the statue before selling it to a place just the next county over. Yeah, no one will remember this poorly cut up one of a kind statue, stolen from the next county over that we’re selling for scrap. We’re geniuses!
That being said, some people get less prison for armed robbery/rape/etc.
I’m with you. I’d say forgo prison, flog them in public, and make sure they have no kind of life unless they are paying restitution.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.