WILTON MANORS, Fla. – A fiberglass statue dedicated to late Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen was stolen from a public park just before 1 a.m. on June 3, and police continued to ask for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
New video released by authorities on Tuesday shows a man riding up to the rainbow-colored manatee statue on a skateboard at about 12:55 a.m.
The man was seen pushing the statue off its display stand, lifting it over his shoulder, and leaving the area heading westbound on Northeast 21st Court, according to Wilton Manors police.
The manatee statue, which stands about 3 feet tall, is made of fiberglass and is estimated to be worth $5,500.
It had been showcased at Justin Flippen Park, located at 2109 Wilton Dr., as a tribute to the city’s mayor, who died unexpectedly at the age of 41 in 2020.
Anyone who can identify the suspect or knows where the stolen art piece might be is urged to contact Wilton Manors Detective Haley Plante at 954-390-2172. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
