San Jose police recover stolen statue of Vietnamese soldier
The statues were first erected to honor the Vietnamese community of San Jose, and to celebrate the connection between the two countries post-war.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Police in San Jose recovered a stolen statue on Sunday, according to the department.
At about 1:40 p.m., officers responded to a report of a stolen memorial statue from the Vietnamese Heritage Community Garden on Roberts Avenue.
The statue depicted a Vietnamese soldier standing beside an American soldier and was installed in 2024; the Vietnamese soldier appeared to have been ripped out of the installation.
Police said the statue was located and recovered but that the investigation is ongoing.
"Thanks to the quick response of our San José Park Rangers and the coordinated response with the San José Police Department, the statue has been recovered," said Ed Bautista, spokesperson for San Jose Environmental Services. "This memorial holds deep significance for our community, serving as a lasting tribute that honors history, remembrance, and the values shared by those who visit and reflect at the site. We are grateful for the swift actions that helped ensure its return"
The statues were first erected to honor the Vietnamese community of San Jose, which has the largest population of Vietnamese residents outside of Vietnam, and to celebrate the connection between the two countries post-war.
The Source: San Jose Police Department