A bronze statue of Jesus has been stolen from a Catholic church in California after two men allegedly cut it from its base using an electric cutting tool.
The incident took place in the early hours of August 30 at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church in Santa Ana, according to police and reports by Premier Christian News.
Statue left with only its feet attached
The stolen artwork depicts Jesus with his hands clasped in prayer beside a statue of John the Baptist. After the theft, only the bronze feet remained attached to the stone base.
Police said two suspects entered the church grounds carrying a bag. One of them allegedly removed an electric cutting tool and used it to sever the statue near the ankles.
The pair then dragged the bronze statue towards the nearby Segerstrom High School, where investigators believe a vehicle had been left waiting. The suspects reportedly loaded the statue into the vehicle and fled.
The artwork is valued at around $50,000 (approximately £37,350).
Police seek information from public
The Santa Ana Police Department said the church had been targeted previously. In April, suspects reportedly damaged wooden fencing and cut portions of the same statue.
Police have released surveillance footage as part of their investigation and are appealing to anyone who may have information about the suspects or the stolen statue to come forward.
The theft has left the church community without an artwork that had stood as part of its grounds and religious setting.