Search is on for stolen sculpture

T-Rex the dinosaur was on temporary loan to Spiral Natural Foods, 1250 South Frontage Road, as part of the Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council’s (HPAAC) Frugal Zoo venture.

Last Monday, Feb. 27, after two weeks in his location, he was stolen. Hastings Police are investigating, and now, HPAAC is asking for T-Rex’s safe return to Spiral Natural Foods.

T-Rex’s creator Dale Lewis said he is disappointed.

“You try to prepare yourself that it could possibly happen,” he said. “But I can’t believe how low some people can be.”

Lewis has worked with the HPAAC to have his acrylic and stainless steel critters around the area to promote the arts and an upcoming gala. People were encouraged to take photographs of the “sightings” and submit them to HPAAC as part of a contest.

More than 20 critters have temporary homes. Some are in window displays, others are secured outside. T-Rex was outside the Spiral Natural Food building during open hours, and then taken inside. He never made it back inside last week.

T-Rex is described as being about 3 and ½ feet tall, made of knives and forks, all stainless steel. “He’s light, but rugged,” said Lewis. “His teeth are made of forks and his arms are goofy forks and butter knives.”

While disappointed that T-Rex has been stolen, it did not deter Lewis from putting out several more critters in Hastings and Prescott this week – including locations at Cub Foods, Coborn’s Superstore, the Y, Wayne’s Auto Body and The Point.

He’s heard a lot of good comments from people in the past several weeks, too.

“It’s fun to hear them” he said. “That is what it is supposed to be.”

Photographs of the animal sightings can be posted at www.facebook.com/hastings prescottareaartscouncil. The person with the most sightings and most creative photos/videos may win two tickets to the Gallery Gala, April 20. All postings must be received by April 10. The winner will be notified by phone or email April 15.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of T-Rex is asked to call Hastings police at 651-480-2300.

Tags: news, hastings, minnesota, spiral, local