WHITTIER >> A probation compliance search Friday led Whittier police to recover a $50,000 bronze statue taken from a Santa Fe Springs, authorities said.
Steven Mercado, 34, was booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property and drug violations following his 8:30 a.m. arrest at a home in the 13800 block of Danbrook Drive, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
As officers visited Mercado’s home to conduct a probation compliance check, “They contacted Steven Mercado, who was in possession of a stolen bronze statue,” according to the statement.
The statue, which depicts a construction workers, was stolen on July 2, 2015 from the Kiewit construction company., 10704 Shoemaker Ave. in Santa Fe Springs, police said.
“Unfortunately, at the time of the recovery, the statue was in several pieces,” the statement said.
According to county booking records, Mercado was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

PHOTO courtesy of the Whittier Police Department