By Ben Morgan and FOX23.com News Staff
Sperry Police announced the arrest of two men accused of stealing a 225-pound bronze statue valued at more than $13,000 from the front porch of the Judy Z. Kishner Library.
The statue was stolen on Nov. 24 at around 3:30 a.m., and a police report was filed on Dec. 2. Police said the statue was of a young boy reading a book on a bench with a dog on his lap.
Tulsa Crime Stoppers offered a reward for information about the theft, and police received dozens of tips that were thoroughly investigated.
On Dec. 5, police received an anonymous tip about two men recently arrested by Owasso Police, Carl Robinson and Christopher Klimcak, who were accused of stealing the statue, cutting it apart, and selling it for scrap.
Sperry Police confirmed both men were in the Tulsa County jail and contacted Owasso Police, who confirmed that they arrested the two men following a larceny from a Walmart and a vehicle pursuit. Both men have since been charged with larceny of merchandise from a retailer, endangering others while eluding police officer and resisting an officer in connection to the incident in Owasso.
Photos taken during the arrest reportedly showed one of the suspects wearing distinctive black and white shoes that matched the same ones seen in library security footage, according to Sperry Police.
Police interviewed Robinson at the jail, where he reportedly confessed to the theft. Sperry Police said Robinson stated he and Klimcak used the Oasge Trail to enter Sperry with the intent of stealing the statue. The two men reportedly hid the statue in the woods before returning later with a truck and taking it to a residence in Turley, where they cut it into pieces and sold them to Frailey’s Recycling.
Sperry Police said Robinson told them that he and Klimcak frequently use the Osage Trail to steal items to scrap or sell. Robinson reportedly told police that the trail has become a major avenue for stolen items.
Both men were arrested for grand larceny and malicious injury to property. Sperry Police executed search warrants for both suspects’ phones, Robinson’s home, and records from Frailey’s Recycling. Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office also helped in serving the search warrant at the residence, but no statue remains were found.
Video from Frailey’s Recycling showed both men unloading a tote reportedly containing cut-up pieces of the statue, with Klimcak wearing the same shoes seen in the library footage, according to Sperry Police.
“When this theft occurred, I told the media we would catch those responsible, and we have done exactly that,” said Chief Nick Mahoney. “Some may believe smaller communities are easy targets—that our departments are understaffed or lack proper training and resources. I want to be clear: that is not the case in Sperry. This investigation proves it. If you’re considering coming to Sperry to commit a crime, let this serve as your warning—it’s not worth it.”
Sperry Police said Robinson is a convicted felon with a criminal history dating back to 1990, and Klimcak is also a convicted felon with multiple charges from New York.
“While it is unfortunate we have been unable to recover the statue intact, we will hold those responsible accountable,” Chief Mahoney stated. “I have full confidence in the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office to vigorously seek justice in this case. Officer Mydland and Officer Schmidt worked tirelessly and went above and beyond to find those responsible. We are hopeful this incident will open discussion about safety and security measures along the Osage Trail, which extends from downtown Tulsa to Skiatook.”
Sperry Police also shared the following statement in part:
“The department extends its gratitude to Tulsa Crime Stoppers, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tulsa and Owasso Police Departments for their assistance throughout this investigation. Special appreciation goes to the men and women working in the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center, who took call after call and were instrumental in helping locate these men.”
While both men have been charged for the separate incident they were originally arrested for in Owasso, neither of them has been officially charged with anything related to the theft of the statue in Sperry. Because of this, FOX23 is choosing not to include photos of the men at this time.
