It was safer in his back yard than in public display exposed to 3rd world copper thieves.
They liked it, knew it was special and stole it and knew they stole it. They should be fined a significant amount and have the theft of art and government property and public art on their police record. I, for one, think the piece is lovely, but that is not the point. A public employee or anyone stealing public art needs to be held legally and morally accountable.