Constable Iosefo Pasina (left), a Salvation Army staff member, and Constable Ngametua Meti with the recovered gnome statue

"Police help recover stolen statue in Auckland"

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small, Waitemata Police

A statue of a gnome worth $55,000 is to be reunited with its owner, after being found dumped outside a Salvation Army store this morning.

The statue was stolen from outside Auckland's Gow Langsford Gallery on Christmas Day.

The theft was reported to Police once the gallery's owner discovered it was missing on Saturday January 12.

This morning a staff member at the Salvation Army in Glen Eden found it dumped in front of the shop and notified Police, who were able to recover it.

Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small says the theft was one of the more bizarre thefts he's heard of.

"It's not something that's exactly common, but we're very glad this artwork can now be returned to the gallery."

Police will be assessing CCTV footage and examining the sculpture to try to find those who may have been responsible for taking it.

ENDS

© Scoop Media