Ronald Reagan statue in Calif. park vandalized

A bronze statue of former President Ronald Reagan in Bonita Canyon Sports Park in Newport Beach, Calif., was vandalized early Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. According to police a man tied a chain to the bronze sculpture and tried pulling it down with a truck. / Newport Beach Police Department

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - A bronze statue of former President Ronald Reagan was vandalized early Sunday, according to officials.

Police received a call at approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday about a possible vandalism in progress at the Bonita Canyon Sports Park.

According to police a witness saw a suspect tie a chain around the top of the statue and the other end to the rear of his vehicle, before trying to pull the statue down.

CBS Station KCBS reports the suspect - described as a male in dark clothing - fled the scene before officers arrived.

Police said the vehicle was a tan pickup with an extended cab, early-2000s model.

/ Newport Beach Police Department

It's not known if the suspect was trying to damage the statue or steal it, but officials believe the vandal may have hoped to take off with the statue and sell it as scrap.

It is reportedly worth $60,000.

City workers called to assess damage to the statue decided it had to be removed because it was compromised.

There is no word from officials on when the statue can be replaced and put back on its pedestal.

The statue debuted last month during a dedication memorial to celebrate the former president's 100th birthday.

[xcali]

History will determine Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest presidents this country had. There will always be people who will disagree...and that's fine. This is what has made the USA great. Reagan was a known believer in following the tradition of free-speech...and freedom...for all Americans. But, to the few who take upon their own destructive will to vandalize property - that is un-American! They should be found and brought to justice. Cameras are being used everywhere you go, and very much needed at this site to deter possible vandalism in the future.

[archdukechocula]

Just resculpt the face into one of David Caruso. He's always leaning forwards like that as if he's facing into a Hurricane.

[sandiegopete]

Ronals Reagan did more damage to the state of California than any other person in our history.

[jimbo11111111]

Huh. Reminds me of something.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/SaddamStatue.jpg

[1995bimmer525i]

Why does he get a statue? He wasn't even a good actor.

[noloyalisti]

It was probably some Tea Bagger Republicons who leaned him the to the left. Compared to these insane Republicons, Reagan was a lefty.

[tsigili]

That's how the Democrats behave......lawlessly.

[noloyalisti]

Reagan was really the first in a long line of corporate puppets that were selected to serve the Top 1%. Reagan was the father of the failed economic system that has now turned America almost into a 3rd world nation.

Deregulation, privatization, globalization, "free market" and trickle down have been an abject disaster around the globe.

Of course by today's standards Reagan would be a centrist Democrat compared to wacko, out-of-control, extremists in the Republicon obsolete party of Death, Spending and the Top 1%.

[larlinc]

Thank you!! How very true! All the "reforms" only added to the demise of the middle class and the wealthy getting even wealthier. You are also so correct that by today's GOP right wing standards; Reagan would be a Democrat!!