Stolen Lorax Statue Returned To Dr. Seuss’ Widow
The Lorax statue that was stolen from Dr. Seuss’ widow has finally been returned to its rightful owner.
According to police, a 22-year-old man told officers in Bozeman, Montana that he had some information about the stolen item. He also explained that he also knew about a handful of crimes that were committed around San Diego and Hawaii.
The Lorax statue, which weighs over 300 pounds, was reportedly stolen in March of 2012. Although police investigated the theft, they never located the missing item. Thankfully, the two-foot statue was eventually recovered and returned to Audrey Geisel.
San Diego police Lieutenant Kevin Mayer said the man told detectives that the stolen statue was hidden in a canyon near La Jolla. Police later found the missing Lorax early Wednesday morning. It was soon returned to its owner.
Detective Robert Vanuka said the man confessed to stealing the statue from the garden at the Geisel estate. Until the individual admitted he took the Lorax, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department had no suspects in the case.
“He wanted to actually go to jail,” Vanuka told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The man told police that he jumped the fence at the estate and entered the garden. After getting his hands on the Lorax statue, he loaded it into a truck and took off. Once guilt set in, the man confessed that he dumped the stolen item by tossing it into a nearby canyon.
The famed author’s 92-year-old widow was understandably thrilled to get the statue back. According to Vanuka, Audrey Geisel was extremely happy to have it returned.
“She’d come down and sit with it and reflect on her life and her husband. It was of extreme sentimental value to her,” he explained to the publication.
A photo of the stolen statue can be found below.
Lorax statue stolen from home of late Dr. Seuss is recovered by SD police in a canyon in La Jolla. Arrest pending. pic.twitter.com/blIdEic0sK
— Tony Perry (@LATsandiego) August 23, 2013
An investigation into the theft is still underway. The suspect’s name has not been released as of this writing. At least the stolen Lorax statue was returned Dr. Seuss’ widow in one piece.
[Top Image via Universal Pictures]
