Port Macquarie: KFC’s battered Colonel Sanders statue back home after drunken theft

A battered and bruised Colonel Sanders statue has returned to its Port Macquarie home after the king of fried chicken was taken by an intoxicated thief on Sunday.

The KFC on Horton St, Port Macquarie

A Port Macquarie tradesmen with ties to the Hunter Region has been told by police to turn himself in after it is alleged he was behind the drunken theft of a rare Colonel Sanders statue.

About 8pm on Sunday, police were called to the Port Macquarie KFC on Horton St, after reports that an intoxicated man was behaving inappropriately in the family restaurant and causing issues.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, had been drinking with three other friends at an establishment on Clarence St, before attending the store.

“The four males came into a family restaurant on Horton St, and at a point in time a male has pushed and pulled at the Colonel Sanders statue at the restaurant, lifting it and running from the story carrying the statue on his shoulder,” Police Insp. Darren Jameson said.

KFC employees Brandyn McDonald and Ashleigh Buoys with the Colonel Sanders statue

“Staff gave chase but were unsuccessful in catching him.”

Mr Jameson said police patrolled the area and made inquiries.

“At this early stage we believe the man is from the Hunter area and is working as a tradesperson somewhere in Port Macquarie,” he said.

The statue, believed to only be about one of 100 in KFC franchises across the country, was returned at a later stage, albeit missing a finger and sporting a few war wounds.

Mr Jameson said police wish to speak to a person believed to be in his early 20s, Caucasian appearance, thin build, approximately 160cm tall with brown hair.

The Mid-North Coast News was informed by a female staff member at the store that the beloved statue has pride of place in the restaurant, as it is symbolic of the franchise’s wonderful sales, hygiene and customer service record.

The fingerless Colonel is back home after being taken on Sunday night

She said the state of the Colonel has deteriorated due to similar events occurring over the past year he‘s been in store.

Mr Jameson said the matter should be able to be resolved fairly quickly, provided the responsible person was willing to co-operate.

“If the male involved in the incident would like to attend Port Macquarie Police station before we go knocking on his door, we believe this matter will be dealt with very very quickly. “