$10,000 deer statue stolen in Wynwood

Surveillance cameras catch crooks in act

MIAMI – The hunt is on for deer in Wynwood -- deer art that is.

Police said a group of five people stole a 75-pound deer statue handmade by local artist Ron English. It is estimated to be worth $10,000.

Marlo Courtney of Goldman Properties says the statue was grazing near English's "Camouflage Deer" wall in Wynwood.

The art heist was caught on camera. Two people were acting as "lookouts." One man straddled a wall and two others took the expensive, distinct piece of art and hoisted it over the wall, according to police.

"You can see them laughing, in their mind it is just a prank," said Miami Police Sgt. Freddie Cruz. "But since they took the deer it now becomes a crime, a felony."

Courtney said they just want this important piece of work by a local artist safely returned. If they get it back in good condition they won't even press charges.

"We'll let bygones by bygones," he said.

This is the second time someone has stolen English's deer statues.

The first time was in July 2012 when Courtney said someone made off with three of them. A tip led police to recover one.

That means of the four deer art pieces Goldman Properties purchased from English just one remains.