Aug 8, 2008 10:15 am US/Pacific
Bronze Statue Of Surfing Legend Stolen From Pier
REDONDO BEACH
The bronze statue of surfing pioneer George Freeth was stolen from the Redondo Beach pier, authorities said Friday.
The statue, a fixture on the pier for 31 years, was taken some time Thursday, Redondo Beach police Sgt. Phil Keenan said.
It appears the thief may have knocked the bust off its cement pedestal by striking it with a large rock, Keenan said.
"A possible motive for the theft may be the high value of copper, which makes up 88 percent of bronze," Keenan said.
Freeth, who died from the flu in 1919, is closely associated with the beginnings of the surfing culture on the California coast, earning him the moniker of "Father of Modern Surfing."
Anyone with information on the missing statue was asked to call the Redondo Beach Police Department at (310) 379-2477.
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