Calif. vandals pull down Reagan statue with chain

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Vandals likely using a chain have pulled a life-size statue of former President Ronald Reagan off its foundation at a Southern California park.

Newport Beach police Sgt. Kirk Jacobi tells the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/w4KmaD ) that vandals may have targeted the $60,000 statue for sale as scrap metal. Or he says they don't like the nation's 40th chief executive.

The statue at Bonita Canyon Sports Park was found broken off its foundation early Sunday.

Investigators say thieves apparently tied a chair around the bronze and tried to pull it away using a pickup or other vehicle. City crews have now taken away the statue for repairs.

It was dedicated on Oct. 9 as part of the yearlong celebration of Reagan's 100th birthday.

Nobody has been arrested.

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Information from: The Orange County Register, http://www.ocregister.com