Bad Karma: Man who Stole Buddha Statue from Newport Liquor Store is Arrested

Bad karma has caught up to a a 45-year-old Newport man who allegedly stole a jar of change and a Buddha statue from Rex Liquors on Feb. 4.

Police said Thomas Durand, of 15 Meeting St., was arrested on Wednesday evening after an officer saw him walking on Broadway near Rex Liquors. The officer was aware that there was an active warrant for Durand’s arrest for the incident earlier this month.

He was taken into custody without incident and was held overnight for arraignment Thursday morning.

According to a police report, Durand was captured on video as he took a jar of money from the statue on the floor right by the front door.

The statue was used by customers to occasionally put money for good luck, a store clerk told police.

Police said the video showed Durand walk into the store and “immediatley noticed the jar on the floor and stood by it.”

When the store clerk was distracted, he unzipped his jacket and bent down as if to tie his shoe. He then grabbed the jar, stood up and tucked it under his jacket.

Police were able to figure out the suspects identity during their investigation after a third party familiar with Durand saw the video and gave police a tip.

Police said officers were familiar with Durand from previous interactions with police and a second viewing of video images caused them to immediately recognize him as the prime suspect.