Santa Ana, CA — Two thieves allegedly targeted a local Catholic church in the middle of the night, using an electric cutting tool to steal a $50,000 bronze statue of Jesus, according to police.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. on Aug. 30 at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church on West Alton Avenue. Police said two men arrived at the property carrying a bag and equipment that appeared to be prepared specifically for the theft.

According to the Santa Ana Police Department, one suspect pulled an electric cutting tool from the bag before both men began cutting the bronze statue.

The suspects eventually managed to separate the statue and drag it across the church property toward Segerstrom High School, where investigators believe a getaway vehicle was waiting.

Police said the men then loaded the statue into the vehicle and drove away. But they did not manage to take everything.

Statue’s feet left behind at the scene

Photos released by police show a particularly unusual detail from the theft: the statue’s feet were left behind at the church. Investigators are now looking for information that could help identify the two suspects and determine where the stolen statue was taken.

The circumstances indicate the suspects may have spent considerable time cutting through the bronze before moving the heavy artwork across the property.

Police have not publicly identified the suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing. The stolen statue was not the first bronze artwork targeted at the Santa Ana church.

Church previously targeted in bronze theft

Christ Our Savior Catholic Church was reportedly hit by another bronze-statue theft in April. In that earlier incident, two different suspects allegedly stole portions of another bronze statue after damaging wooden fence panels on the church property.

Police said the suspects also used a cutting tool during that theft, causing thousands of dollars in additional damage.

The repeated incidents have added to concerns about the vulnerability of valuable bronze artwork installed at churches and other public locations.

For Christ Our Savior Catholic Church, the latest theft means another piece of artwork has been removed from its property after suspects allegedly went to significant lengths to cut through it.

80-Year-Old Arizona Man Allegedly Hunts Down Segway Salesman and Shoots Him in the Back

Bronze thefts have hit Orange County

The Santa Ana investigation comes as authorities have also dealt with other alleged bronze thefts in Orange County. In February, a Long Beach resident was arrested after allegedly stealing bronze plaques from multiple locations across the county.

That suspect was charged with 10 counts of grand theft and 10 counts of felony vandalism, according to police.

Bronze can be targeted by thieves because of its material value, but removing large statues or fixtures can also leave property owners facing substantial repair and replacement costs.

Police are now asking the public to help determine who was responsible for the latest theft at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church.

Police ask public for information

Christ Our Savior Catholic Church was established in 2005, with its first parish Masses celebrated later that year. The church currently holds five Sunday Masses.

Anyone who may have information about the Aug. 30 statue theft, the suspects or the vehicle involved is encouraged to contact Detective R. Wilson at 714-245-8551 or by email at [email protected].

Investigators are particularly interested in information that could help identify the two men seen cutting and removing the statue during the overnight theft.

As the investigation continues, the $50,000 bronze Jesus statue remains missing, while the feet left behind at the church could become one of the clues helping police piece together what happened that night.

What do you think about this unusual church theft? Share your thoughts in the comments.