3 Arrested In Theft Of Ronald Mcdonald
SNOHOMISH - Three youths have been arrested and two others are being sought in connection with the theft last month of a wood-carved statue of Ronald McDonald from a fast-food restaurant, Snohomish police said yesterday.
The youths, ages 16 to 17, allegedly stole the statue from in front of the Snohomish McDonald's Aug. 10, said Sgt. Doug Mireau, police spokesman. The hand-carved statue was defaced and dumped in the Pilchuk River, where it was found a day later.
Mireau said the youths apparently intended to steal the statue and hide it, but those plans changed after one of them used a hatchet or machete on the statue.
Two of the youths arrested are from Snohomish; the other is from unincorporated Snohomish County. They are free after being booked two weeks ago into the Denney Youth Center. Mireau said police are waiting for two others to return to the Snohomish County area, where they occasionally live.
All five could face theft and malicious-mischief charges in connection with the incident. The statue, carved four years ago out of a tree on McDonald's property, was valued at $1,000.