New Ronald Reagan Statue Vandalized in California

A life-size statue of former President Ronald Reagan is tilting at an odd angle in California after someone apparently tried to make off with it.

The bronze statue was just dedicated last month in Newport Beach, Calif. It remains in the park, but is broken off its foundation and is tilting forward after someone attempted to pull it down, the Orange County Register reported.

Newport Beach Police received a call around 5:30 a.m. Sunday of a vandalism in progress, KTLA-TV reported.

A witness said a man wearing dark clothing tried to attach a chain to the base of the statue. The chain was connected to the back of his truck and he seemed to be trying to pull the statue down. He was unsuccessful and was seen fleeing into the surrounding neighborhood.

"Either someone really didn't like Reagan or they tried to steal it so they can sell it for scrap metal," said police Sgt. Kirk Jacoby told the Register.

Police are looking for suspects and officials have not released an estimate of how much repairs will cost. The statue was dedicated a month ago in honor of the 100th anniversary of the former president and California governor's birth. It was commissioned for $60,000, money that was raised through donations.