PORT ANGELES — The disappearance of a hand-carved statue worth more than $1,000 has a retailer offering a $200 reward for its return.
Edna Petersen, owner of Necessities & Temptations gift shop in downtown Port Angeles, said the soapstone carving of a bear with a salmon in its mouth disappeared the Monday before Christmas.
“It happened in a time frame of a morning when we were busy,” she said.
“It was here, and then it was gone.”
The statue, about 8 inches by 10 inches and weighing 20 pounds, was priced at $1,249.
It was a one-of-a-kind item, Petersen said, carved by Wendy Hook of Douglas Creek Sculpture Co. of Riggins, Idaho.
“It was beautiful,” Petersen said.
The statue had been on display in front of the store’s fireplace.
“It was right in full view of the cash registers,” Petersen said. “It wasn’t in a corner.”
When store personnel saw that it was gone, the question was asked: “Did anyone sell it?”
“No one had,” Petersen said.
She said she is offering a reward for the return of the statue.
Port Angeles Deputy Chief Brian Smith said Tuesday that photos of the statue have been circulated to officers and that the theft remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to phone the police department at 360-417-4545 or North Olympic Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
North Olympic Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to arrest and the filing of felony charges. Tips can be provided anonymously.
