With Police Stumped, Arts Group Turns to Locals to Help Crack Case in Vienna

The Vienna Arts Society is seeking the public’s help to solve the mystery of the stolen painted benches.

The first bench was stolen between July 7-9, followed by the second bench between August 9-12. Vienna police are currently investigating.

The arts group sent out an email today (Tuesday) to our sister site ARLnow with the subject line: “VIENNA ART SOCIETY ASKS FOR HELP IN RECOVERING STOLEN BENCHES.”

“Art Center Director Lu Cousins, says ‘It’s possible someone witnessed their theft and they may no longer be in the immediate area. We have been working with the Vienna Police Department to secure the remaining benches and we’re hoping that anyone with information will come forward,'” the email said.

The benches are valued at $500 and $600, Sgt. Conor Tracy, who works in the Vienna Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, told Tysons Reporter.

“To my knowledge, there is no video footage from security cameras of either incident,” Tracy said, adding that the police department does not have any leads or suspects at this time.

The Vienna Arts Society is determined to keep the remaining 40 benches painted by local artists available for public enjoyment until they get auctioned off on Nov. 2.

New security measures include bolting the benches to the ground and chaining them to nearby objects, Tracy said.

While the Vienna Arts Society recommissioned a bench to replace the missing one from Grass Roots Fitness, the artist of the other stolen bench won’t be painting a new one due to time constraints.

Anyone with information about the stolen benches can contact the Vienna Police Department at 703-255-6366.

Photo via Susan Scanlon