Sculptor of stolen eagle statue offers $500 reward

CUMMING - The sculptor of the bronze eagle statue stolen from a Forsyth County recreation area is now offering a reward in the case.

"I am offering a cash reward of $500 for either the return of the eagle or the arrest and conviction of the people that stole it," said Gregory Johnson.

Johnson said the statue's retail value is $18,500 and took him a year to create.

Authorities believe the 400 pound sculpture was taken from the Bethelview Road trailhead of the Big Creek Greenway multi-use trail on Aug. 27 or Aug. 28.

"To take an eagle that's 5 feet tall, 5 feet wide and 4 feet deep, drag it the length of a football field and lift it onto a truck, there had to be a number of people involved," said Johnson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.