Stolen 10-foot rooster finally found in forest, but without 1 eye and lacking its beard

ATHENS, Ga. – Authorities say the hunt for a 10-foot metal rooster stolen from outside an Athens, Georgia, business has ended in a forest, where Rocket the Rusty Rooster was discovered under a pile of wood.

Lexington Village owner Bonnie Harris says she’s grateful the sculpture has been found in one piece, but it was missing an eye and his beard was gone. Harris tells The Athens Banner-Herald (http://bit.ly/1OdzrgU) that Rocket will undergo restoration work in the artist’s studio where it was created.

In late March, the 300-pound sculpture was stolen about two weeks after it was installed in front of Harris’ store.

Athens Clarke-County police Detective Sgt. Rick Hammond says detectives found the sculpture Monday down a logging road. No arrests have been made.

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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com