Police investigating multiple thefts of decorative horses in Ky. town

RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) - Richmond police are asking for the public’s help in a theft case.

Cameras have caught two instances of people stealing decorative horses and jockeys in Richmond’s downtown area.

Around town in Richmond, the city has put up painted wooden racehorses to get everyone excited for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

“I got a lot of text messages from friends, and we got a couple phone calls here at the office, ‘I just love seeing those around town,’” said Visit Richmond Executive Director Lori Murphy-Tatum.

But not everyone is treating the decorations like the champion thoroughbreds the art represents.

Visit Richmond says there have been four instances since Sunday morning where people have stolen the horses. Two were caught on camera.

“The one video of the large group of folks that they’re laughing and joking and think that it’s really funny. I understand when we’re all young, we do things, but we try really hard to beautify our city, and we try really hard to make things look nice,” said Murphy-Tatum.

The horses were donated to Visit Richmond by the local hospice center after a derby event several years ago. The horses were painted by local high school students.

For Visit Richmond, they’re just looking to get the horses back.

“We all make mistakes as youngsters. If they would just please bring those back to us, we would greatly appreciate it,” said Murphy-Tatum. “Nobody is going to face jail time here.”

Richmond police are investigating the theft. If you know anything, you’re asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 859-624-4776.

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