Thief steals 6m-long sculpture from Kensington home before driving away with it on the roof of his car
A THIEF has been caught on camera carrying away a 6m-long musical sculpture from a front yard in Kensington. SEE THE FOOTAGE
AN audacious thief has been caught on camera stealing a 6m-long steel sculpture, weighing up to 80kg, from the front yard of a Kensington home before placing it on top of his car and driving away.
The sculpture was stolen from the front yard of the house in the early hours of Saturday, July 8.
The owner of the house, which was being rented at the time of the theft, said the sculpture of musical notes and clefs was one of a kind and had been commissioned by an Adelaide Hills-based sculptor two years ago.
“I commissioned two sculptures and asked them to be made thief proof,” the owner, who did not wish to be identified, said.
“The first was concreted into the ground but this one was only put on star droppers and glued in one spot to the wall.”
The security footage from a CCTV camera mounted on the property shows a car driving past the house before reversing to further inspect the sculpture shortly before the theft.
“I have a gut feeling that he knew it was there and was casing the joint,” the owner said.
“He was on a mission and got what he wanted. I was told it would be impossible to remove but one person lifted it easily and put it on the back of his car.”
The owner believes the art work would be difficult to on sell due to its size.
“I’m more disappointed than anything else that someone has invaded my property and taken something that is not theirs,” the owner said.
“I don’t steal so I feel that it is hard to understand why someone would do it to me.”
Kevin Brenner, managing director of Infratec Security who installed the cameras around the property, said that cameras not only deter but footage of thefts helped recover stolen goods.
“With video of an incident, social media can be utilised to help in situations such as this to get the community involved in assisting in finding a thief,” Mr Brenner said.
“A video helps attract people to view the event, become more involved and then more likely to assist. It is also of assistance to police when attempting to resolve such a situation.”
Mr Brenner also believes the theft was not a spontaneous incident and remains hopeful the sizeable sculpture will be returned.
“We feel this was a planned event possibly by a person who was aware of this sculpture (and) not just a drive-by spur of the moment,” Mr Brenner said.
“Recovery of the sculpture is very possible as it is a one of a kind and the social media interest has been very supportive with a great deal of interest.”
Anyone with information on the theft can contact police or Infratec on 8338 6788.