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WOODSFIELD -- Authorities are searching for three men believed to be responsible for the theft of a baby mannequin from a display outside Monroe Threatre on Monday evening and the vandalization of its buggy. More information is being released from surrounding cameras and a reward has been offered.
Rick Brown, stage manager at the theater, spoke about the theft.
"According to what we are seeing on several different cameras from several different locations here, there was a second vehicle involved and they were actually more or less stalking the area for about an hour prior to actually doing it," he said.
"We were here. We were inside the building when it happened, and didn't know it. It was going to rain and we actually went out because it was one of the things we had to spray the rain-guard on," Brown said. "The carriage is still here. The baby was stolen out of it. They were both sponsored by Theresa Clutter. "
Brown added there were straps holding the baby inside. He said they checked the theater's footage and the Monroe County Courthouse provided footage, along with different surrounding businesses.
"They think they might be able to pull a plate from the vehicles," he said.
Brown said the baby had a porcelain face, arms and legs.
"This stuff is really expensive, and we're super-protective over it as far as stuff like this. The community has dumped a lot of money into making this happen. To make it nice for Christmas and make it possibly a tourist attraction, and we're working hard on each individual statue to make sure that they're perfect," Brown said.
"It's a freak thing. The footage we have, he was actually on the phone bragging about doing it," Brown added. "On the first video where we first saw him do it, you can hear him talking to whoever on the phone."
Brown said there was traffic going past at the time.
"He wasn't really sneaking around much at all," Brown said.
He said there are apparently at least two vehicles involved. He said they appear to be a Dodge or Chevrolet, one truck navy blue or black and the other white.
"We're guessing these guys are late 20s, early 30s," Brown said. "We've got a couple really good shots of their trucks, and we've got a decent shot of him walking through here in front of the theater."
Brown said the reward amount is still being determined.
"We are offering a reward. We don't know where that's going to land yet. There's some different individuals that's said they would chip in," he said.
The figures of a family on their way to a show is part of a display showcasing the village's past.
"These statues basically tell a story about our community. ... We've got well over 100 statues and they each represent something that either is currently or used to be here in the community, and they were all sponsored by citizens," he said. "The Theatre group, we're spearheading this project basically for the community. The community wanted to see it done and we agreed to take it on and maintain the mannequins and build them. We put them away each year and bring them out each year. This is our second year and it's something we hope to see for a long time to come and hopefully bring some tourism to town over the holidays."
The Woodsfield Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Anyone with tips or information is asked to call the Woodsfield Police at 740-472-5771 or the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 740-472-1612.