Police stumped after game day theft

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - A hand-carved tribute to Bills great Thurman Thomas, has been stolen from Ralph Wilson.

" How could someone steal a Thurman Thomas tree sculpture on the three year anniversary of the October Storm," said DJ Jickster of 97 Rock.

It was a thousand pound tree sculpture of the Bills great running back, carved from a tree that fell victim to the October Surprise Storm of 2006.

After it was unveiled at a 97 Rock tailgate party before Sunday's Bills-Browns game, and then stolen from the media lot across from the scoreboard.

"I think it was an alcohol related crime. I think there are six or seven guys that had a really extremely large pickup truck and just kind of knocked Thurman over into the back of it, and then covered it up and drove him off to a basement somewhere," said DJ Jickster.

Carvings for a Cause turns tree trunks from the October Storm into larger than life sculptures of famous people from and symbols from the region.
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Ironically Thurman's was the 34th sculpture, 34 was Thurman's number.

The project's creator says she won't press charges if Thurman is returned.

"Just bring it back or we will come pick it up. We will not press charges. I won't do anything. I just want the carving back," said Therese Forton-Barnes.

The carving would symbolize to up and coming athletes what Thurman teaches at his sports training center in Elma, that "in order to perform like a pro, you must train like a pro." The carving was supposed to end up at the center.

Carvings for a Cause Director Frank Crowe said, "He represents all that Buffalo represents, in that he had his career here and then he chose to come back. Carvings for a Cause are all about the resiliency of this region, this city."

Resiliency is certainly being tested after the Bill's performance in Sunday's game.

But, 97 Rock is asking its listeners to donate toward a reward for the return of the Thurman carving.

DJ Jickster said, "We'll make sure whoever is responsible to bring Thurman back to us unharmed, will make sure that he receives all of the rewards that will be posted on our website, 97Rock. com"

The Orchard Park Police Department has assigned an officer and a detective to the "carving caper."

The chain saw carving stands 8 feet tall and weighs about a thousand pounds.

The crime just has authorities stumped Monday night.