Longwood's Patron Saint Vandalized
Longwood police offering $1,000 reward for information in case
Nicole Dales
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News
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According to an email, the sculpture is a reduced version of the bronze 1915 monument "Joan of Arc" by Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), one of the foremost American sculptors of the early 20th century, known primarily for her equestrian statues. Longwood's copy, based on a casting of that monument in New York City, was given by Huntington to the college in 1927. The statue had undergone a complete restoration in 2006.
Longwood is offering a $1,000 reward for any information pertaining to the investigation. Longwood Police Officer and Investigator John Thompson explained the situation is being viewed more as a prank than it is vandalism. Thompson explained that although he suspects that alcohol may have played a role he doesn't care about that right now. He does not care about anyone breaking the law. He just wants someone to come forward and explain what happened.
"I am not filing any criminal charges," said Thompson. He said there was no need unless someone just picked it up and threw it, although he does not believe that is the case. "We don't think that happened. We really don't," he said.
Thompson explained there is nothing to gain from destroying such an important and iconic statue on campus. "We think people were playing around .Once this starts tipping there is no stopping it. It's gone. This thing is very, very heavy," said Thompson.
The university decided they were going to give a reward and they want to find out who committed the act is and why they did it. Thompson is handling the investigation himself and has been given the authority to not press criminal charges. "If someone knows something about it come to me and I find out who it was and they give me the information they get the $1,000 reward," said Thompson.
Thompson explained that although it would take some force bit there are a fair amount of hefty guys at the university. "If you get a couple guys with this and once you get it going it takes more weight to bring it back then it does to let it go. It fell straight and it didn't look like it was a mischievous, trying to vandalize the school thing" said Thompson.
Thompson suspects that the incident was pure accident and those who are involved are afraid they are going to go to jail. He stresses that no one is going to jail. He also ensures that any information that is given will remain purely confidential.
Thompson went to see the statue at the LCVA and said that is has abrasions from where it hit the concrete and there is damage down the side. He also said all the damage can be fixed. However, the statue will not be put back in its place for the time being, although Thompson hopes that once the mystery is solved, it will be put back in its rightful place. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Campus Police at 434-395-2091.
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