A Baby Jesus statue that was stolen from a Coral Gables Nativity set and vandalized earlier this month has been found, police said Monday.
The statue was reported stolen on Dec. 3 from the the Alhambra Towers at 121 Alhambra Plaza. Most of the figures in the display were spray painted blue and yellow.
According to police, a Miami-Dade Police officer and his wife who live in Coral Gables saw stories about the missing statue and helped lead to its recovery. The statue was found Saturday near a dumpster a few blocks away from where it was previously.
The statue was returned to its owner Monday. The statue is chipped, has broken fingers on one hand, and some paint damage.
“It was not damaged too badly,” said the statue’s owner, Allen Morris. “We’re going to have it restored and back in the manger by Christmas.”
Police are still investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to call the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-442-1600.
