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Thieves return missing trout statue along with an apology and $100
Call it catch and release.
San Luis Obispo's missing fish sculpture was returned Tuesday morning with a note from its poachers and $100 cash, said city administrative assistant Melissa Ellsworth.
The giant steelhead trout, part of a public arts project installed downtown last week, had been reported missing early Monday morning.
In the handwritten note, the anonymous fishnappers apologized for their actions and offered the money as a donation for the exhibit's cause, the Prado Day Center homeless shelter.
"Taking the fish was a mistake and we would like to return it," the thieves wrote. "The cause is very noble and hopefully the auction will bring in a lot of money for the Prado Day Center. God Bless."
The sculpture, "Trout on the Range" by Lori Krivacsy, depicts a light brown, leopard-spotted fish sporting a saddle, reins and a bit. The note and money were tucked into the trout's bridle, Ellsworth said.
Officials received a phone message Monday night on the City Hall voicemail from a young man saying that the missing fish would be returned, according to Betsy Kiser, public art coordinator for the city. The caller apologized for taking the trout and told officials where to find it, she said.
Claudia Prows, a legal assistant with the city attorney's office, noticed the sculpture around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday as she entered the small parking lot behind the old library at Morro and Palm streets, Ellsworth said. On the ground lay a black cotton cloth presumably used to cover the fish, the administrative assistant said.
Even armed with a sample of handwriting, city officials said they won't be fishing for clues to catch the trout thief.
"We said 'No questions asked,' " Kiser said.
The fish, which the artist values at about $1,000 but could fetch more at auction, suffered some damage, she said, including a broken stirrup and a rubbed patch on the back of the saddle. Two metal posts had been ripped loose from the underside of the base, Kiser said.
Krivacsy, the trout's creator, said she'll have to remove three layers of special UV coating and repaint the base to protect it from the elements. She planned to pick up the trout Tuesday for repairs.
Atascadero Mayor Wendy Scalise, whose company donated the fish, said she is thrilled to have it back.
"It is refreshing to know that there are good people still out there," said Scalise, who owns Mustang Moving & Storage. "People do silly things and dumb things but it's nice to know they're willing to admit their mistakes."
More than two dozen fiberglass fish were installed last weekend as part of "Trout About Downtown." Organizers hope the sculptures will raise at least $20,000 at an Aug. 27 auction benefiting the Prado Day Center, Kiser said. The shelter provides food, shower facilities and other daytime services for the homeless.
City officials are contemplating putting tracking devices in the trout to prevent further thefts, Kiser said.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/11501607.htm
Call it catch and release.
San Luis Obispo's missing fish sculpture was returned Tuesday morning with a note from its poachers and $100 cash, said city administrative assistant Melissa Ellsworth.
The giant steelhead trout, part of a public arts project installed downtown last week, had been reported missing early Monday morning.
In the handwritten note, the anonymous fishnappers apologized for their actions and offered the money as a donation for the exhibit's cause, the Prado Day Center homeless shelter.
"Taking the fish was a mistake and we would like to return it," the thieves wrote. "The cause is very noble and hopefully the auction will bring in a lot of money for the Prado Day Center. God Bless."
The sculpture, "Trout on the Range" by Lori Krivacsy, depicts a light brown, leopard-spotted fish sporting a saddle, reins and a bit. The note and money were tucked into the trout's bridle, Ellsworth said.
Officials received a phone message Monday night on the City Hall voicemail from a young man saying that the missing fish would be returned, according to Betsy Kiser, public art coordinator for the city. The caller apologized for taking the trout and told officials where to find it, she said.
Claudia Prows, a legal assistant with the city attorney's office, noticed the sculpture around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday as she entered the small parking lot behind the old library at Morro and Palm streets, Ellsworth said. On the ground lay a black cotton cloth presumably used to cover the fish, the administrative assistant said.
Even armed with a sample of handwriting, city officials said they won't be fishing for clues to catch the trout thief.
"We said 'No questions asked,' " Kiser said.
The fish, which the artist values at about $1,000 but could fetch more at auction, suffered some damage, she said, including a broken stirrup and a rubbed patch on the back of the saddle. Two metal posts had been ripped loose from the underside of the base, Kiser said.
Krivacsy, the trout's creator, said she'll have to remove three layers of special UV coating and repaint the base to protect it from the elements. She planned to pick up the trout Tuesday for repairs.
Atascadero Mayor Wendy Scalise, whose company donated the fish, said she is thrilled to have it back.
"It is refreshing to know that there are good people still out there," said Scalise, who owns Mustang Moving & Storage. "People do silly things and dumb things but it's nice to know they're willing to admit their mistakes."
More than two dozen fiberglass fish were installed last weekend as part of "Trout About Downtown." Organizers hope the sculptures will raise at least $20,000 at an Aug. 27 auction benefiting the Prado Day Center, Kiser said. The shelter provides food, shower facilities and other daytime services for the homeless.
City officials are contemplating putting tracking devices in the trout to prevent further thefts, Kiser said.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/11501607.htm