Sacramento Police Arrest Two for Statue Theft
Authorities apprehended two men in connection with the theft of the Ben Ali bronze statue in Old North Sacramento.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Property Crime
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Sacramento police have arrested Joshua Hughes and Aushajuan Hardy following the theft of the Ben Ali bronze statue from the Sacramento Youth Center. The statue, which was ripped from its mounting on Del Paso Boulevard, remains missing despite the arrests.
Why it matters
The theft of public art removes significant historical and community landmarks from Sacramento neighborhoods, prompting police to dedicate resources to tracking down the missing property. Officials are still working to recover the stolen bronze figure.
Sacramento police arrested Joshua Hughes, age 38, on Oct. 14, followed by Aushajuan Hardy, age 48, on Oct. 21. The statue remains missing while the investigation into its location continues.
The players
Sacramento Police
The local agency responsible for investigating the theft and executing the arrests of the two suspects.
Joshua Hughes
A 38-year-old man who was arrested by authorities on Oct. 14 in connection to the crime.
Aushajuan Hardy
A 48-year-old man who was arrested by authorities on Oct. 21 in connection to the crime.
The details
The statue was stolen on Sept. 30 when it was forcibly removed from its mounting in front of the Sacramento Youth Center on the 1900 block of Del Paso Boulevard. Investigators canvassed neighborhoods and tracked leads to identify and arrest the two suspects.
Timeline
May 2008: The Ben Ali bronze statue was originally unveiled on Del Paso Boulevard.
Sept. 30, 2026: The statue was stolen from its mounting.
Oct. 14, 2026: Joshua Hughes was arrested.
Oct. 21, 2026: Aushajuan Hardy was arrested.
Legal Context
The theft marks a departure from the statue's established role as a permanent public monument installed in 2008. Local authorities continue to focus on property crime enforcement to protect community assets in Sacramento.
Residents are encouraged to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts for the statue by contacting police with any relevant information. Increased awareness regarding the security of local monuments may lead to additional protective measures at community centers.
The takeaway
Public art installations remain vulnerable to theft, requiring community vigilance and coordination with law enforcement to deter future criminal activity. Citizens can report tips regarding missing property to local authorities to assist in active investigations.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to combat theft in Sacramento Property Crime.
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Do you feel your local area is doing enough to protect neighborhood landmarks from theft?
