Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/84916
Sarasota News Leader September 28, 2012 Flynn also gave a lot of credit to Det. Tony Colonna. According to the report, Suncoast Metals, lo- cated at 2050 51st St. in Sarasota, alerted a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office detective to the fact that one of Flynn's stolen cranes had been delivered by another scrap yard in Man- atee County, All American Metals, located at 5023 E.51st St. The report says Flynn went to Suncoast Met- als, where he positively identified the crane as his property. With that information, the report says, the detective drove to All American Met- als to obtain the seller's information, which the scrap yard staff provided. "This is a prime example of the level of des- peration that is driving local crime," said Sher- iff Tom Knight in the report. "People addicted to prescription drugs will steal just about any- thing to fund their habit, and he was getting about $100 for each statue despite their actual value." Flynn had told members of the Siesta Key As- sociation about the theft during their last reg- ular meeting, on Sept. 6. He noted that the statues, valued at $3,000, had been cut off at the base. The feet of the birds were embedded in concrete, he added. Unfortunately, Flynn said, his deductible for his homeown- er's insurance was $5,000. The incident occurred on the evening of Sept. 4, he said, Jason McMahon Page 48 the night before the usual garbage collection day on Siesta Key. Flynn lives on Bay Tree Lane. Sgt. Scott Osborne, leader of the Sheriff's Of- fice's Community Policing Station in Siesta Village, told Flynn he expected the statues had been taken to a scrap yard. Still, he told Flynn he would check with detectives, noting the statuary "is pretty unique." According to the Sheriff's Office report, detec- tives have recovered more statues than were reported stolen. The report says any person missing a lawn ornament who did not report the crime, or anyone who believes a neigh- bor not in town has suffered a similar loss, should contact Criminal Investigations at 941- 861-4901. Flynn told the News Leader that Colonna drove up to his house with six lawn statues, including "a beautiful pelican," in the back of his pickup truck. He was hopeful Flynn could help identify the owners. "If nobody claims the pelican," Flynn said, "I'll pay … the salvage dollars" and keep it in the event it belongs to a snow- bird. "A lot of people haven't returned yet" for season, Fly- nn pointed out. As for the crane he will get back after it no longer is needed for evidence, Flynn said, "We're going to put [it] in the backyard this time."