Theft in Oz Park: Flying Monkey "Simian of Interest"

By Prescott Carlson in News on Apr 12, 2008 1:47PM

OK, this scrap metal nonsense is getting out of hand.

The latest victim of the scrappers is the Cowardly Lion statue in Oz Park. Thieves removed the large plaque at the base of the statue, valued at a hefty two grand. The plaque from the Scarecrow statue was stolen a month ago. Fortunately Mary Schmich is on the case:

"Meet me at the Cowardly Lion," she said. "12:30."

Yeah, yeah, some investigators would've held out for big crimes by big fish like aldermen and governors. Me? Let me tell you something. It does not get better than this, getting to write "Cowardly Lion" over and over.

Schmich, like us, also longs for the days when scrappers would roam the city's alleys looking for discarded refrigerators, bikes, and copper pipes instead of these brazen thefts. Also interesting to note, last week the Chicago City Council passed a measure requiring scrap yards to keep track of their customers. A good idea, since they've become modern day pawn shops. Wait, did we just acknowledge that the City Council did something that makes sense? [Trib]

Photo of the Cowardly Lion (still sporting his plaque) by stubaker