http://www.kansascw.com/kscw/news/kwch-sia-10ft-sculpture-worth-at-least-10000-stolen-from-topeka-church-20121004,0,6361558.story

kwch.com

10-foot sculpture worth at least $10,000 stolen from Topeka church

by Associated Press

10:13 AM CDT, October 4, 2012

(TOPEKA, Kan.)

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka police are looking for a 10-foot-tall bronze statue called "Forgiven Man" after it was stolen from a church.

The statue was stolen early Wednesday from a memorial garden in front of the First Congregational Church. Police say they received a call from a witness who saw two men load the statue into a pickup truck.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports police say the bronze statue is worth $10,000. The thieves also did about $400 damage to a concrete bench and sign at the church.

The church's pastor, Tobias Schlingensiepen, says he believes the statute is worth more than $10,000.

Schlingensiepen is the Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional District seat. But he says he's sure the theft had nothing to do with politics.

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Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com