Vandals decapitated statue at European Village

Flagler County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer, Deputy Paula Priester, reported to Historic City News that a cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, apprehension and prosecution of those vandals responsible for the beheading of Venus de Milo, just after midnight on Monday, June 9th.

Although the priceless marble original of Aphrodite of Milos, better known as “Venus de Milo”, is safely tucked away in The Louvre, a band of vandals cruising in Palm Coast’s European Village last month were captured on surveillance video when they pushed the concrete replica statue over into the fountain; causing its head and arms to break.

“We are seeking a white female, a white male, and 3 black males who appear to be in their late teens or early twenties,” Deputy Daniel Parthemore told local Historic City News reporters in St Augustine. “Deputies believe that they may live in the area where the incident occurred.”

Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies are seeking help from anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of one or more of the five persons who are depicted in the surveillance images.

The hoodlums are seen on video as they enter the courtyard, deliberately walk over to the water fountain, and push the statue over. The head to the statue has not been found and law enforcement authorities assume it was taken as a “trophy”. After the incident, they ran toward Palm Harbor Parkway.

Witnesses may contact the Flagler Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Many art aficionados say that Alexandros of Antioch’s marble statue is one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture in existence today.