Marble Falls thieves steal 400-pound park bench
Police are wondering how thieves removed a 400-pound granite park bench, from this spot in Johnson Park late Wednesday.
MARBLE FALLS — Police and Parks Department officials are scratching their heads after thieves stole a 400-pound granite park bench Wednesday.
Parks and Recreation Director Robert Moss said his crews noticed the bench was missing from Johnson Park around midday Thursday.
The bench was one of 10 granite memorial benches placed in city parks, Moss said. Most of the benches were donated by local residents and inscribed for late family members.
“These benches are placed in comfortable places so people can reflect on someone special,” Moss said. “The majority of our benches are placed in Johnson Park along the lakefront. This theft is just so random.”
Marble Falls Police Capt. Floyd Goodwin said investigators are still looking for suspects in the case, adding officers aren’t sure how or why the thieves made off with the 400-pound bench.
“It would have taken at least two guys, and they would have to be very strong,” Moss said.
The stolen bench rested beneath a pecan tree in front of Backbone Creek, just a few feet away from a similar resting spot.
“The only thing we can figure is the one that was stolen was the easier of the two to remove,” Moss said. “We glue them all to the ground with a pretty strong adhesive. It was located in a spot where all they would have had to do is back their truck up to the bench, remove it, and throw it in the back.”
It will cost the city at least $500 to replace the bench, and Moss said Parks Department workers were still trying to determine to whom the original bench was dedicated.
In the meantime, Moss said his workers are planning on placing several more benches along a proposed hike-and-bike trail that will connect Lakeside Park to Johnson Park.
Goodwin said anyone with information on the theft is asked to call Marble Falls police at (830) 693-3611 or Hill Country Crime Stoppers at (866) 756-8477.
Theft of property valued more than $500 but less than $1,500 is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine not to exceed $4,000.
chris@thepicayune.com
Photo by Chris Porter