2nd eagle statue stolen in Brentwood

For the second time in four months, a Brentwood woman is lamenting the theft of an American eagle that anchored her front-yard garden dedicated to victims of 9/11 and servicemen and women.

In April, Sharon O'Connor said someone stole her first eagle, a 2-foot gray concrete sculpture purchased shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, to honor and show support for American troops.

O'Connor replaced the figure two months ago with another eagle, this one a slightly smaller white statue. She said she purchased it using $130 donated by the Brentwood American Legion Post 1006 and surrounded it with flowers and plants donated by neighbors.

This time, she and her husband dug a three-foot hole, filled it with concrete and a stand and secured the eagle to the stand using chains, locks and automotive glue.

"If you wanted to pull it up, you had to pull up a 20-pound block of cement with the eagle attached," O'Connor, 57, said Wednesday.

Sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, thieves did just that, she said, making away with O'Connor's second eagle without making a sound.

"The first time was devastating," she said. "This time was crushing."

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Once again, O'Connor filed a police report in hopes of finding the person or people responsible.

"I cannot believe it," said neighbor Kenia Ramirez, 47. "I feel like they are targeting her and targeting the eagle."

Despite the repeated letdowns, O'Connor plans to replace the statue. She is now hoping to work with a memorial maker who will customize a third eagle with built-in security such as a rod, lock and eye bolt. She is also looking into installing cameras and an alarm.

"I'm determined not to let this turn me around from doing what's right," she said. "There will be another eagle by 9/11. I will not disappoint my community."