Coupeville seeks suspect after downtown bronze sculptures stolen

Coupeville officials on Jan. 16 released a description of a suspect and vehicle tied to the Dec. 18 theft of two bronze sculptures from downtown Alexander Street. The missing pieces, a girl reading on a bench and a dog beside a fire hydrant, were unbolted and removed, with a bronze bench leg left damaged at the scene.

Authorities describe the suspect as a male about 5'5" wearing a white top, dark jeans and a beanie. The vehicle of interest is an older white Honda Accord with rusty hubcaps or wheels. Town Marshal Bo Miller asked residents to watch for the vehicle and to contact law enforcement with any information.

Each sculpture is believed to be worth roughly $2,500, placing the combined loss near $5,000. Under Washington law, theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000 is classified as theft in the second degree, a class C felony. Beyond the direct replacement cost, the removal and damage to a public bench have immediate fiscal consequences for the town in repair expenses and potential insurance claims.

The theft strikes at a visible piece of Coupeville’s downtown character. Public art on Alexander Street contributes to pedestrian appeal and supports small businesses that rely on foot traffic and local tourism. For a compact commercial district, the loss of two anchor pieces can diminish streetscape vibrancy and impose unplanned costs on a small municipal budget.

For residents, the practical implications are twofold: watch for the described vehicle and crowd the channels that feed investigative leads. Officials asked anyone with information to call 911, the ICOM non‑emergency line, or the Coupeville marshal’s office. Timely tips can accelerate recovery and reduce investigative expense.

Municipal leaders now face decisions about how to protect remaining public art and whether to invest in bolting, surveillance, or additional signage. Those options carry recurring and one-time costs that could affect upcoming budget discussions for maintenance and downtown improvements. The legal classification of the theft means prosecution could follow if suspects are identified, which also factors into how the town allocates law enforcement resources.

The investigation is ongoing, and recovery of the sculptures would restore both the physical pieces and part of the downtown’s small-scale cultural economy. For now, Coupeville residents can help by remaining vigilant, reporting sightings of the described vehicle, and staying engaged as the marshal’s office pursues leads and assesses next steps for protecting public art in the community.