Viking statue stolen from gravestone in cemetery in central Minnesota, sheriff says

Law enforcement are searching for a Viking statue stolen from a gravestone in a cemetery on the shores of Minnesota's Lake Mille Lacs.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says the theft happened earlier this month at Garrison Cemetery off Garrison Bay.

"This is more than just a stolen item; it holds decades of memories and sentimental value," the sheriff's office said.

Authorities say the family has owned the tombstone for over 40 years.  

Catherine McLennan and Doug Liane were proactive in choosing their final place of rest.

"I still don't believe it. I still find it hard to believe that it's gone," Liane told WCCO.

McLennan and Liane bought the statue years ago on a trip to Mt. Rushmore. The sheriff's office says McLennan has dementia and is "nearing the end of her life."

"Anytime you see something that hits somebody so personal, it's really tough just because, you know, see somebody like Doug and this relationship that he has with his wife and, you know, with her and having dementia," Lt. Craig Katzenberger with the sheriff's office said.

Katzenberger says the key to the case is a tip.

"Unless somebody comes forward, unfortunately, there's probably not a lot we're gonna be able to do," he said.

The hope is that someone will bring it back to the site, with no questions asked. And if they do, Liane will again have peace and assurance.

"I already talked to the monument maker, and this time he's going to drill a hole through the statue, a hole down through the base of the tombstone and put a rebar in there. So if they wanted it, they'd have to break it," he said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the sheriff's office at 218-829-4749.

"Let's come together as a community and help return this special piece to where it belongs," the sheriff's office said.

Garrison is about 100 miles north of Minneapolis.