Police responded to a theft at a church in Orange County, California, after two men cut through a fence and used an electric saw to remove a bronze statue of Jesus from the property. The incident was reported on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 22:52 GMT. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the perpetrators accessed the church grounds by severing the perimeter fence, then employed an electric saw to detach the statue before transporting it away.
Investigators arrived on the scene shortly after the alarm was raised and began gathering evidence, including surveillance footage and tool marks on the fence. The police are currently reviewing video recordings to identify the individuals involved and to determine the destination of the missing artwork. No injuries were reported, and the church community was left to assess the loss of the religious icon.
This theft follows a recent pattern of bronze statue robberies that have been reported throughout Southern California. Authorities have noted an uptick in similar crimes, where valuable metal sculptures are targeted for their material value. The ongoing series of thefts has prompted local law enforcement agencies to increase patrols around religious and public sites known to display bronze works.
The church has yet to release a statement regarding the theft, but officials indicated that they are cooperating fully with police investigations. Community members are being urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity near historic or religious sites. The case remains open, and police are seeking any information that could lead to the recovery of the statue and the apprehension of those responsible.