3 men arrested, accused of stealing chicken statue from Putnam County home

Detective says chicken, valued at $2,300, sustained broken leg, claw

PALATKA, Fla. – Deputies say three men accused of stealing a 9-foot tall chicken statue from a San Mateo home have been arrested.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was called to the home on East State Road 100 at 6 a.m. Tuesday and met with the homeowner, Ben Smith.

Smith told the deputy he was getting ready for work when he heard "screaming and hollering" coming from outside of his home.

Smith told the deputy that when he went outside, he witnessed his cast aluminum purple chicken, weighing about 600 pounds being dragged behind a Chevrolet truck.

The homeowner told deputies he saw a man mount the chicken and was riding it down the roadway. The truck and the chicken traveled about one mile, until deputies said they reached the end of the road and their joyride came to a halt.

At that time, deputies said one of the men on the truck unhooked the chicken and drove away.

Deputies said Detectives Shannon Depew and Chris Gay quickly cracked the case.

"We were able to locate three suspects due to information provided by eye witnesses and video surveillance on the property," said Det. Depew.

The trio, identified by PCSO as 19-year-old Darrin Edwards, 21-year-old Tyler Jones and 18-year-old James Smith, were located the following day.

Deputies said Edwards, who is currently on probation, admitted to the offense and was arrested and charged with violation of probation and grand theft. Edwards is currently being held in the Putnam County Jail without the benefit of a bond.

Jones and Smith also confessed to the incident. Deputies said they were arrested and charged with one count of grand theft. Jones and Smith were each booked and released on a $1,004 bond.

"The chicken is valued at $2,300 and sustained a broken leg, broken claw and there was extensive damage to one side," said Det. Depew.

Deputies said Jones was recently arrested for fleeing and eluding law enforcement in May, after refusing to pull his vehicle over during a traffic stop.