Photo by Chip Ford [Order this photo]

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The sharp eye of a city employee was responsible on June 20 for the safe return of a statue stolen from a downtown restaurateur.

On June 19, the city employee, who did not wish his name revealed, said his wife had seen a statue reported stolen to police by Eddie Silver, owner of Café Luigi at 91 S. Main St.

The pipe-figure statue held up the "open" sign at the restaurant.

The employee called Silver the next day and told him the statue was at 25 Judah St., and that it might be in the possession of David Ethan Hill, 18, of Eureka Springs.

Detectives Morris Pate and J.J. Reddick went to 25 Judah the morning of June 20 and interviewed Hill, who eventually admitted to stealing the statue from Café Luigi as well as a sign for Onyx Cave.

Hill was arrested for misdemeanor theft of property, issued a citation, and released to the care of his sister.

Silver had offered a $350 reward for the return of the statue, saying the reward was more than the statue was worth, but he was dismayed by the amount of senseless vandalism occurring in town and someone close to the culprit would turn them in.

"People like that don't belong in this community," Silver said. "I think I've been a positive influence in town. I helped start October's Corvette weekend years ago.

He said it was the principle of the thing that lead him to offer the substantial reward.

Reward offered in sign theft -- Rogue's Manor owner Smith Treuer has offered a $300 reward for the return of the restaurant's signage, no questions asked. The signs disappeared between 11 p.m. July 11 and 2 p.m. July 12. Photo Submitted

Rogue's Manor

On July 12, Smith Treuer, owner of Rogue's Manor restaurant, reported three signs stolen from in front of his restaurant sometime between 11 p.m. the night before and 2 p.m. the afternoon of July 12.

The signs were located on a metal hanger in front of the restaurant.

Smith is offering a $300 reward for the return of the signs, no questions asked.