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Coco Warner ReportingOrem police recovered the missing head of a Christus statue just one week after it disappeared. It was a case of vandalism and police attribute the quick recovery to the thousand dollar reward offered by Berg Mortuary.
This statue of Christ had been a part of the Timpanogos Gardens Cemetery for the last 50 years. No stranger to vandalism, this statue had already seen damage to its hands and to the face. But the head went missing the night of March 3rd.
Orem detectives suspected it was a youthful prank, and using the thousand dollar reward as incentive, asked around at the local junior highs and high schools. Last Friday, March 10th, they received two tips that lead them to an arrest.
Detectives confronted a 15-year old 9th grader from Orem's Canyon View Junior High, at his home. He admitted he took a hammer to the head of the statue because "he wanted to."
Lt. Doug Edwards, Orem Department of Public Safety: "He dropped his head and took them to the backyard where he had buried it in the backyard. He had marked the spot with a rock."
Dave Comdon, Berg Mortuary: "It seems to be the victim of anybody who has a grudge against something. Ihope it never happens again, but it very well might."
According to Dave Comdon, Berg Mortuary, who owns and operates the cemetery, is thinking about installing lights around the statue to deter future vandalism.
Detectives booked the 15-year old suspect into the Slate Canyon Juvenile holding facility because the statue is valued at 50-thousand dollars. Had he been an adult, this crime would be considered a felony.
The mortuary says they're just relieved to have the head back and plan to restore the statue as soon as possible.
