FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A combined $7,000 in rewards have been put up for the return of a turtle sculpture and for tips leading to the arrest of whoever took it, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“Quilty,” a 5-foot wide loggerhead sea turtle made out of fiberglass and painted with a quilt design, was reported stolen Monday from the Palm Coast Art Foundation’s Turtle Trail at the Grand Haven Condo Association, records show.
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Up to $5,000 in reward money was offered by CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida for tips leading to an arrest in the theft, and private donors have announced a $2,000 reward for the sculpture’s return, deputies said.
“Plenty of people have their eyes wide open for these thieves. They can’t hide in their shells forever,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “No matter how you paint this, this is a crime against the people of Flagler County.”
The sculpture was originally valued at $8,000, according to the woman who first donated it to the Palm Coast Art Foundation, deputies said. Given the cost, the suspect or suspects would face a charge of grand theft between $5,000-$10,000 if they’re caught, records show.
Anyone with information on the sculpture’s whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-277-TIPS.