800-pound statue stolen overnight from Lancaster couple's front yard

LANCASTER, Mass. — A couple in Lancaster says their rare, 800-pound statue was stolen from their front yard overnight.

The owner of the statue says it had to be at least a two-person job, and she believes the people behind the theft know of the value of the statue or at least has an appreciation for such art.

"My husband took one look in the corner here, and said, ‘hey!’ we both looked and, ‘where did she go?!’" said Diane DeMango. "She was quite heavy, about 5’5’’, very delicate, cement-caste - took three people to put it in place for us."

The statue was a staple in DeMango's courtyard before it disappeared overnight.

DeMango's prized statue is a replica of Antonio Canova's 19th century "Venus Italica," where now just the outline of the pedestal remains.

"So now we just have this empty space," said DeMango.

Diane and her husband have reason to believe this was a thought-out crime, as the thick brush that once covered the edge of the yard and hid the precious piece from view has been cleared.

"We think it was premeditated, you don’t just drive by and see that, jump out of your car and grab it," said DeMango. "They would’ve had to come out here, either 2 or 3 men, or two men and a dolly, gone through our gate and through some very dense thick brush to the road there, which is a main road."

The Lancaster couple had bought Venus a few years ago, spending $1,000 on the purchase and installation. The statue has been the main attraction at their annual parties.

"She’s valuable to us, but she was starting to get more sentimental value as well," said DeMango. "Now she's gone and I don't know if we'll replace it with another."

As police continue to investigate, DeMango wants others to keep an eye out.

While there are other replicas of the Venus sculpture, they all vary and most of them are overseas.

The theft happened late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. If you have any information on this case, please contact Lancaster Police.

Cox Media Group