The 9-foot-tall statue of a gold miner that went missing on September 19 in Apache junction has been located.
 
PCSO was alerted around 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning after a citizen in Apache Junction located the large statue of “Picky Pete” lying in a ditch alongside the 2200 block of Star Avenue.
 
Apache Junction Police assisted in the recovery and returned the statue to its rightful owner.
 
On September 20, 2011, PCSO deputies were called to the area of Hwy 88 and East Mining Camp Street in Apache Junction for a reported theft.
 
After arriving on scene, deputies were informed a large metal statue known as Picky Pete had been removed from its cement and rock base which stood next to a larger sign advertising the Mining Camp Restaurant located at 6100 East Mining Camp Street.
 
Investigators could see someone had forcibly removed the 9-foot-tall figure, which weighed over 150 lbs. The estimated value of the statue was approximately $1,500.
 
There was a small amount of damage to the statue’s feet and head.
 
Investigators are trying to identify suspects involved in the theft.
 
The owner is still offering a $500 reward to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.
 
PCSO would like to thank members of the media for their efforts in getting out information in a timely manner.