Crime & Safety

Lawrenceville Man Charged With Theft In Connection With Stolen Statue

The "Angel of Hope" Statue was stolen from Trenton in May and sold at a scrapyard in Philadelphia, according to reports.

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A Lawrenceville resident and a Trenton man were charged with theft in connection with the disappearance of the "Angel of Hope” statue from its perch between churches in Trenton, according to media reports.

Kevin L. Hampton, 51, of Lawrenceville and Zachary Carey, 48, of Trenton were charged with theft and desecration of venerated objects, reported The Trentonian.

On May 7, the “Angel of Hope” Statue was stolen from 140 N Warren St. In Trenton.

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During the investigation, detectives found that the statue was cut from its base in front of St. Mary’s church and taken to a scrapyard in Philadelphia, PA, said NJ.com. According to the police, Hampton and Carey sold it for $1,626.

The statue was recovered by police on May 19 and is currently under repair.

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The statue has stood on an island between two historic Trenton churches since 1986.

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