Thieves make off with giant metal rooster; owners hope ‘Rocket’ doesn’t end up in scrap heap

ATHENS, Ga. – Police are searching for whoever made off with Rocket the Rusty Rooster, a 10-foot-tall, 300-pound metal sculpture stolen from its perch outside an Athens business.

Lexington Vintage owner Bonnie Harris tells CBS 46 that she’s saddened by the crime, believed to have happened Friday night or Saturday morning.

Harris said the rooster attracted attention to the store, which opened in November.

Athens-Clarke County police say the estimated value of the Bunyanesque artwork is $3,000, meaning that whoever stole it could face a felony.

Harris tells The Athens Banner-Herald that the rooster’s installation two weeks ago involved anchoring the big bird in the ground with rebar stakes. She said her husband thinks some type of tool was used to cut Rusty away because part of one foot was left in the ground.

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