Thieves stole 12 bronze and copper plaques from Los Angeles’s historic Olvera Street, including one commemorating Christine Sterling, the founder of the street, and Casa Avila, the oldest house in Los Angeles, authorities said.
The plaques were stolen two weeks ago during the evening or early morning hours.
“We have 24-hour security here, but they were very quick in taking some of these plaques and continue to come back,” said Arturo Chavez, the general manager of El Pueblo de Los Angeles, which includes Olvera Street.
Chavez says thefts have been an ongoing problem. In 2019, a plaque honoring farm labor leader Cesar Chavez was stolen. More recently, plaques have been stolen from Veteran Memorial Park in Downey and from a park in Boyle Heights.
“We believe it’s the same individual suspects that are the ones targeting this particular area,” Chavez said.
Chavez said it appears the thieves used chisels, sledgehammers and battery-operated screwdrivers and left broken concrete and bricks.
“We calculated for us as a department that the value is over $100,000,” said Chavez.
Chavez said the “El Pueblo De Los Angeles” is considering replacing the bronze plaques with a different material.
Downtown L.A. resident Mayra Robles lamented the loss to the city.
“I come here on weekends to get away,” Robles said. “It’s sad that this is happening to our city.”
Dario Salazar, a city construction worker, said more security cameras are needed in the area.
“What is going on with our city?” Salazar asked. “It gives a bad reputation to our tourists.”
Agustin Rodriguez, a retired resident of Culver City, said the city needs to step up security.
“I don’t even think the security cameras are working,” said Rodriguez.
Bronze is not worth much these days, but Chavez suspects the thieves may have thought it was copper. The value of reclaimed bronze is about $2.40 per pound, he said.
“I’m upset more than anything at the attempt at the erasure of our history,” Chavez said.