Trailer full of bronze sculptures stolen from Naples storage yard

If you happen to see a six-foot tall bronze bear on the side of the road, it may belong to artist Ben Foster.

That's because a 20-foot trailer stuffed with Foster's elaborate bronze wildlife sculptures and his art show displays disappeared from a Naples storage yard earlier this week.

“I’ve been Scrooged,” joked Foster, who said he has collectors throughout South Florida and often shows at art festivals in Miami-Dade and Broward. “It’s my entire livelihood.”

When foster went to iStorage in Naples on Dec. 22, the entire trailer was missing. He said he had dropped the trailer off in November when he came to town from Wyoming for art festival season.

Inside were bronze herons, bears and other wildlife. His first art show was planned for January.

“I really don’t know what we are going to do,” he said.

He said the storage facility is reviewing surveillance video. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it is investigating.

“I am asking anyone who may no anything to please call the police,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-775-8477.

Carli Teproff: 305-376-3587, @CTeproff

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Trailer full of bronze sculptures stolen from Naples storage yard."