Crimestoppers rewards man who found statue

COEUR d'ALENE - Randy Cayko, the Coeur d'Alene man who discovered the "Kate" statue while searching for moose antlers on Yellowstone Trail, was rewarded Friday for his find.

Cayko said Crimestoppers of the Inland Northwest gave him $100 for returning the bronze statue, which was stolen in January from Riverstone Park in Coeur d'Alene.

He said he hadn't been concerned about the reward.

"It was just great to receive it and to hear them talking about how much it meant to the community that the statue was found," Cayko said. "It was a warming feeling."

Cayko stumbled upon the statue - which weighs several hundred pounds - while riding his dirt bike on the trail. He said he discovered it sitting on the ground with a noose tied around its neck and attached to a black bobsled.

The statue of the bronze woman included two small dogs, one of which was also stolen. When the statue was taken in January, city officials estimated the value of the public art piece to be $25,000. If it had been sold for scrap, its value would have been far less, they said.

Steve Anthony, Coeur d'Alene recreation director, said the city plans to repair the statue and return it to its previous location.