Statue of Virgin Mary stolen from St. Mary's in Wausau, statue now recovered

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) -- A Virgin Mary statue stolen from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wausau is now in the custody of police.

According to a post on the Wausau Police Department's Facebook page, not only has the statue been found, officers have identified the suspects. The suspects are cooperating with investigators.

Father Aaron Huberfeld with St. Mary's Catholic Church said Monday afternoon that no charges will be filed if the five-foot tall statue is returned unharmed.

Lt. John Phillips with the Wausau Police Department tells NewsChannel 7 the theft happened sometime between 10:00 p.m. Saturday and 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

Father Huberfeld's room is near where the theft occurred and he says around midnight he heard people outside, but that it's not unusual when the weather gets nice.

It wasn't until the next morning when he realized the statue was missing. He was preparing for a First Communion mass where a floral crown is normally placed on the statue after a procession around the church.

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