Creator of Missing Eagle Sculpture Offers $500 Reward

The artist who created the bronze eagle sculpture that was allegedly stolen on Aug. 27 or 28 from its perch is offering up a $500 reward for its return.

It was last seen at the Bethelview Road trail head of the Big Creek Greenway.

Gregory Johnson, a master sculptor and resident of north Forsyth County, told Cumming Patch his creation of the "Inquisitive Eagle" as it is called was on lease to the county for one year. 

"Through the Forsyth County Arts Alliance they funded a grant and the grant was given to the county to promote art in nature," said Johnson.

Johnson continued to say as the owner of the sculpture, he was responsible for having it insured, which he did, but it was underinsured. He also had two people interested in buying the eagle once the lease was up. The retail price – $18,500 – now he stands to lose money because of the alleged theft.

"And that's why I offered the $500 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever stole it," he said.

The "Inquisitive Eagle" took Johnson almost a year to complete from creation to casting. He says it stands 5-feet-tall, is 5-feet wide and weighs about 400-pounds. The sculpture was presented to the community this past April.

When he heard that the sculpture was missing he said it was a huge disappointment.

"There's a segment of the population that is just desperate and their thieves," said Johnson. "My best guess is that it was cut up and sold for scraps."

Lt. Col. Gene Moss of the said they believe more than one person was involved, given the size and weight of the sculpture, and that there were no witnesses to the theft.

"One thing that we have done is alerted the Southeast Metal Theft Task Force," Moss said.

The task force, according to its website, allows law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to post alerts for the recyclers to be on the lookout for the stolen items.

But optimism of ever seeing the bronze eagle is fading fast for Johnson.

"I had hoped that it would have been a joke or a prank, but I think if that would have been the case it would have been returned by now.

However, the case remains active.

"We are following up on several leads, some of which we’ve received from the community," said Karleen Chalker of the FCSO. "We continue to ask the community to contact us if anyone has any information regarding the theft of the eagle sculpture. We are hoping the sculpture will be recovered in its original state. However, there is the possibility it has been dismantled or melted."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the  at 770-781-3047.

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