300 pound, 10 foot tall rooster stolen

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. -- It was a rude awakening for a Georgia business whose 300 pound, 10-foot-tall rooster was stolen -- even if it is only a statue.

For two weeks, "Rocket the Rusty Rooster" stood watch in front of Lexington Vintage in Athens, Ga., rapidly becoming the metal mascot of the new business that showcases artists' work, according to CBS affiliate WGCL.

The metal bird was stolen sometime between 9:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday.

"I am angry and saddened," said Bonnie Harris, owner of the place she says has only been open for four months.

"We were trying to use him (the rooster) to bring attention to the store. That was a huge chunk of our advertising budget to try and get attention," Harris told WGCL.

According to the station, since "Rocket" was worth $3,000, Athens-Clarke County Police said the person/s responsible would face felony charges.

Harris told the station she hopes whoever took the heavy metal rooster doesn't destroy it for a couple dollars worth of scrap.

"I hope it is somebody who recognized, hey this is a really cool piece of art and they took it impulsively and would see this and bring it back. However, I know I can't rely on the integrity of a thief," Harris said.