By Hector Gutierrez
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
December 2, 2000

A giant white rabbit is missing from Alice in Wonderland. And it didn't just hop away. Thieves using heavy equipment lifted the nearly 6-foot tall, 650-pound bronze statue, valued at more than $75,000, from its foundations outside Fiddler's Green Amphitheater last month.

White Rabbit was sculpted by renowned artist Harry Marinsky, 81, and was the first of eight sculptures built around the Alice in Wonderland theme. Five other bronze statues of Alice in Wonderland characters are on display. Two others are being sculpted for the Museum of Outdoor Art and the John Madden Co.

J. Madden said the theft was painful because White Rabbit was purchased through donations by the Greenwood Athletic Club, which he owns. It was installed last summer along Fiddler's Green Circle. Numerous sculptures surround the company's office buildings and the Alice series was part of the landscape.

Greenwood Village police said they believe the heist occurred between 10 p.m. on Nov. 24 and 1 p.m. on Nov. 25. They say they have no suspects.

Marinsky sculpted White Rabbit wearing a suit with flowers by his left foot, and a fan and gloves at the base of the statue. The rabbit has an umbrella under its left arm, and is looking at a watch on its right hand.