Sporting legend’s stolen statue found in pieces and ready for sale

The Spanish Guardia Civil has recovered the copper statue of Severiano Ballesteros, which had disappeared from its original location in Pedreña, the town where the golfer was born. The statue was found cut into pieces and prepared for resale, and one man has been arrested in connection with the theft, although investigators have not ruled out further arrests.

The law enforcement agency reported the recovery on its official X account, explaining that the statue – made of copper and valued at around $33,000 – had been dismantled into multiple parts.

The Spanish government’s representative in Cantabria, Pedro Casares, together with Guardia Civil lieutenant Julio Postigo, provided details of the discovery of the monument, which paid tribute to the golfer in his hometown. The statue commemorated Ballesteros’ victory at The Open Championship in 1984. Ballesteros died in 2011.

According to investigators, the pieces of the statue – which were of considerable weight – were found stored in a basement storage unit inside a residential apartment block.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.