A Pennsylvania Man Bends to His Knees After Vandalizing Cape May's Iconic Humpty Dumpty Statue
A 29-year-old man from Dallas, Luzerne County, has surrendered to authorities after allegedly destroying a fiberglass statue of the beloved nursery rhyme character at Ocean Putt Golf in Cape May. Blane C. Dongas turned himself in on Monday, facing charges of criminal mischief and trespassing.
According to surveillance footage obtained by police, Dongas was seen climbing over a fence to approach the Humpty Dumpty sculpture around 4 a.m. on September 7. He then proceeded to rip the statue from its mount and walk away with it. The vandalism was later discovered at a nearby property, where the statue's top hat and one hand were found broken.
The incident sparked a national interest, with authorities releasing surveillance footage that showed Dongas' brazen actions. However, an anonymous tipster quickly identified him, and police confirmed that he had been outside Ocean Putt Golf at the time of the crime.
Dongas was released on a summons pending court proceedings, although it's unclear whether he will face additional charges related to a second individual seen in the surveillance footage. The owner of Ocean Putt Golf, a family-run course established in 1964, declined to comment on the incident.
With an estimated repair and replacement cost of $1,000, police are hopeful that justice has been served for this cultural icon. While authorities acknowledge that nothing can bring back the original Humpty Dumpty, they are confident that Dongas will face consequences for his actions.
A 29-year-old man from Dallas, Luzerne County, has surrendered to authorities after allegedly destroying a fiberglass statue of the beloved nursery rhyme character at Ocean Putt Golf in Cape May. Blane C. Dongas turned himself in on Monday, facing charges of criminal mischief and trespassing.
According to surveillance footage obtained by police, Dongas was seen climbing over a fence to approach the Humpty Dumpty sculpture around 4 a.m. on September 7. He then proceeded to rip the statue from its mount and walk away with it. The vandalism was later discovered at a nearby property, where the statue's top hat and one hand were found broken.
The incident sparked a national interest, with authorities releasing surveillance footage that showed Dongas' brazen actions. However, an anonymous tipster quickly identified him, and police confirmed that he had been outside Ocean Putt Golf at the time of the crime.
Dongas was released on a summons pending court proceedings, although it's unclear whether he will face additional charges related to a second individual seen in the surveillance footage. The owner of Ocean Putt Golf, a family-run course established in 1964, declined to comment on the incident.
With an estimated repair and replacement cost of $1,000, police are hopeful that justice has been served for this cultural icon. While authorities acknowledge that nothing can bring back the original Humpty Dumpty, they are confident that Dongas will face consequences for his actions.
... like, what's the point of vandalizing a statue? It's just a bunch of fiberglass and paint 
... I mean, I know some people might think it's funny or whatever, but it's not worth damaging something that's meant to bring joy to people, especially kids who love nursery rhymes 
... And what really gets me is that this guy had to go and run off with the statue himself - like, couldn't he just leave it alone? 
... It's just a silly mistake, but now we've got to deal with the mess and spend $1,000 to fix it 
... Not to mention the emotional attachment people have to Humpty Dumpty 
... It's just sad, you know? 
]
It's like they're trying to win an award for 'Most Epic Vandal' or something! 
And the owner didn't even have the guts to comment on it? That's just rich. I'm pretty sure the only thing he's worried about is getting his money back, not the well-being of that poor statue 
. Anyway, hope he enjoys his $1,000 vacation to nowhere because that's basically what this guy is gonna end up doing 
.
I mean, dude, what's wrong with this guy? I get it, vandalism is never cool, but come on! He's destroying a piece of history just because he could. That statue has been there since 1964 and it's got so much sentimental value. And now it's gonna cost $1,000 to fix...ouch! 
I guess the good news is that someone bailed him out, but still, what's the point of that? Just shows how brazen he was. The part that really gets me is when they say nothing can bring back the original Humpty Dumpty...well, yeah, exactly! It's not just about the money; it's about preserving our culture and history. 
Blane Dongas was clearly out of line, and I can see why he's facing charges. But $1,000 to fix or replace that Humpty Dumpty statue seems a bit steep, don't you think? 
Still, I guess justice has to be served, and maybe this will teach Dongas a lesson. 
... like what's going on with people these days?! 
But destroying the statue?! 
That's just crazy talk! 
I'm so glad no one got hurt, though. The guy who did it could've gotten in trouble big time... but now he's just getting a slap on the wrist? 
. I hope they catch whoever was with him... that dude in the footage looks suspicious 
.
! I mean, who does that?! 
, but $1,000 is a pretty steep price to pay for some dude's reckless behavior 
, so let's all try to be more mindful of our surroundings and respect public property 
! But, on the bright side, I'm glad the owners of Ocean Putt Golf are gettin' the repairs done 
! That thing's gonna be fixed in no time! And hey, it's a good reminder that our communities look out for these kinds of things 
. Let's keep spreadin' positivity and supporting each other, even when someone decides to throw a tantrum like Blane 
!
. I must admit, the surveillance footage is quite telling - it highlights the contrast between Dongas' reckless behavior and the enduring significance of the Humpty Dumpty statue in American folklore 
. One wonders what drove him to commit such an egregious act, and whether his actions will serve as a cautionary tale for others who may be tempted to engage in similar destructive tendencies 
.
. The fact that Ocean Putt Golf has been around since 1964, making Humpty Dumpty an integral part of the community, makes this vandalism even more disappointing.
but still, $1k to fix a fiberglass statue? that's crazy... what's the value of art or culture in our society anymore? is it just about the $$? 
), it's about the history and the nostalgia behind it. Cape May Ocean Putt Golf has been around for ages, and this statue is iconic! 
It's like he didn't think anyone would care or notice... but I guess technology helped with that anonymous tip 
. Anyway, good on the authorities for catching him and making sure justice is served 
$1000 repair costs tho that's crazy.