A $50,000 bronze statue of Jesus was stolen from a Catholic church in Santa Ana after it was cut from its base late last month, police announced this week.
The theft occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Christ Our Savior Catholic Parish, 2000 W. Alton Ave., according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Two men wearing dark clothing entered the church property carrying a bag, police said in a news release. One removed an electric cutting tool, which they used to cut the statue from its base.
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A parishioner motions toward the remains of a bronze Jesus statue in Santa Ana on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The theft occurred at Christ Our Savior Catholic Parish.
(Photo by Karen Tapia, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A parishioner motions toward the remains of a bronze Jesus statue in Santa Ana on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The theft occurred at Christ Our Savior Catholic Parish.
(Photo by Karen Tapia, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The statue was cut off at the ankles, with its feet and base left behind at the church.
The men then dragged the statue through the property toward Segerstrom High School, where police believe they had a vehicle waiting, according to the department’s statement. They loaded the statue into the vehicle and drove away.
Police said the church had been targeted previously, but did not immediately provide details regarding a prior theft.
Authorities released information about the theft Wednesday, Sept. 16, as they sought the public’s help identifying the suspects.
Church and Diocese of Orange officials could not be reached for comment this week.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Santa Ana police Detective R. Wilson at 714-245-8551 or RashadWilson@santa-ana.org.