Cantabria: stolen Severiano Balesteros statue is found in pieces

The Guardia Civil have recovered the stolen statue of Severiano Ballesteros in Cantabria ten days after it was taken, with officers arresting a 22-year-old man in La Albericia, according to El Diario Montañés.

The suspect was a Santander-resident who led the officers to the statue following his arrest.

In a storage unit, the sculpture of the legendary golfer, worth about 30,000 Euros, was broken up into multiple sections. Investigators found it cut up, hidden in scrap and ready to be sold by weight.

Ballesteros, who was born in Marina de Cudeyo and whose disappearance was reported by the local town hall, the investigation began on 19th January.

Police in northern Spain conducted checks on scrap yards to follow up on leads about metal theft. They initially focused on preventing bronze from melting down.

The statue is expected to be rebuilt in its original place if there are no missing pieces.