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Man Arrested For Burning Down Grackle Statue Outside Austin City Hall

AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - An accused arsonist who was caught on camera outside Austin City Hall setting fire to a 6-foot tall statue of a grackle, is now in police custody.

The grackle was made partly of recycled bicycle tires.

Austin arson suspect and grackle sculpture
Austin arson suspect and grackle sculpture (credit: Austin Fire Department).

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 5:30 a.m. on Monday, but the piece of public art was already destroyed.

Austin's grackle statue no more
Austin's grackle statue burned down. (credit: CBS Austin)

Austin Police arrested Rodney Cook, 67 on Tuesday.

Rodney Cook
Rodney Cook (credit: Austin Police Department)

He's charged with criminal mischief.

Cook could face 180 days to two years in jail.

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