Three men were arrested last week following an investigation into the theft of large plaques and bronze statues—including the elk from the Yucca Valley Elks lodge—over the last several months. According to a Rancho Cucamonga police press release, deputies served a search warrant on homes in Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga in connection of thefts of a large bronze elk statue from the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. Evidence at the scene connected Christopher Cook, 39; Brian Vawter, 52; and Ben Rivers, 38, to that theft. Police say that the men stole a flatbed car trailer December 16 and towed it to Yucca Valley where they allegedly stole a large bronze elk sitting outside the Elks Lodge. The detectives found the Yucca Valley elk statue under a tarp near the stolen trailer at the home they searched in Rancho Cucamonga. Detectives also located a kiln used for melting down metal, several burglary and construction tools, and over 1,000 pounds of what they say appeared to be bronze plaques or statues cut up and ready to be recycled. Due to the unrecognizable condition of the bronze, detectives are looking for additional victims who may have had bronze statue or plaques stolen. Christopher Cook, Brian Vawter, and Ben Rivers were arrested for possession of stolen property and booked at West Valley Detention Center. Anyone with information about stolen bronze statues or plaques should call the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at 909-477-2800.
