SARASOTA – An internal Coast Guard investigation has determined that two crewmen from the Cutter Vise stole a clown statue from down town Sarasota about three weeks ago. The crewman grabbed the 6 foot statue from downtown and took it aboard the cuttter, which was docked overnight in Sarasota.
The Coast Guard has paid Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care $3,500 for a replacement statue. The two crewman are awaiting their punishment.
Chief Warrant Officer Neal Feustel, Commanding Officer of the Vise said that he was waiting for the Sarasota Police Department to finish its investigation before proceeding against the pair.
Sarasota police spokesman Jay Frank said that as early as next week the department intends to recommend that the state attorney’s office charge the two with grand theft.
