Man charged in stolen statue case

 

An man has been charged after a bronze statue of a famed Ukrainian poet was chopped off at the feet from its pedestal and carted away from a park in Oakville, Ont.

Curtis Raae, 36, of Oakville faces charges of possessing stolen property over $5,000. He was released from custody Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 30.

Another man was arrested but later released. No charges were laid against him.

The massive two-tonne bronze figure was a likeness of 19th-century Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko, who is credited with establishing the modern Ukrainian literary language. 

The head of the statue was recovered Tuesday at a Burlington metal recycler.

The owner told the Hamilton Spectator that he bought the head from two men who said they were disposing of it on behalf of the town of Oakville.

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