The bronze University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawk statue that was stolen from outside the Warwick Center in July was returned to the university Tuesday, Aug. 26 after an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of the Cape Fear came in on Thursday, Aug. 21. The statue was located in Greensboro with the help of the University of North Carolina Greensboro Police Department.
Arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects, Joseph Edward Berry of Hillsborough, Robert Joseph Touhey of Ocracoke and Nicholas Ryan Siano of Wilmington. The three men are alleged to be the individuals shown in the surveillance video released by UNCW from the night of the theft.
UNCW Chief of Police, David Donaldson, said the recovery of the statue was the result of a statewide collaborative effort.
“I’m especially grateful for the many tips provided by our community, the support we received from Crime Stoppers of the Cape Fear, our campus and local and regional media, the effective work of UNCW’s investigators, and the assistance provided by the UNCG Police Department in bringing Sammy home,” Donaldson said.
email Cole Dittmer
