...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
An alarming incident of vandalism has recently transpired in Florida, involving the deliberate destruction of an expensive sculpture.
The culprit, identified as Derek Alan Modrok, was captured on surveillance cameras ramming his car into the ‘Thunderbunny’ sculpture, valued at $300,000.
The destructive act appears to be part of a series of vandalistic activities that Modrok has admitted to carrying out against the city and its former mayor.
The Incident
On a quiet Sunday morning, Modrok, 49, made the decision to drive his car into Hunt Slonem’s renowned blue ‘Thunderbunny’ sculpture, not long after it had been installed in Wilton Manors.
Security footage shows Modrok maneuvering his red car off the road, across the grass verge, and directly into the 13-foot tall artwork, on loan to the city.
Aftermath and Arrest
The footage reveals the vandal inspecting his car for damage after the impact, reattaching his dislodged bumper, and then hastily departing the scene.
The sculpture, adorned with a mosaic of blue glass, visibly shuddered on its plinth after the hit.
The authorities were alerted to an act of vandalism at Justin Flippen Park on Wilton Drive later that Sunday morning and quickly located the vehicle and detained the driver.
Further Details and Motive
Upon his arrest, Modrok confessed to several acts of vandalism committed throughout the city, including damaging a sign at Justin Flippen Park and a popsicle statue at Rachel Richardson Park.
The police revealed that Modrok appeared to hold a grudge against the city’s former mayor, Justin Flippen, after whom the park is named, asserting that this was the reason behind his destructive actions.
Artist’s Response
Artist Hunt Slonem responded to the incident with disappointment and shock, stating that the purpose of the sculpture was to inspire joy and celebrate life.
He found it profoundly puzzling that someone would choose to exert so much effort in destructive behavior, leading to tragic waste.
The artist added that while the sculpture might be repairable to an extent, the damage to its metal base would render it forever altered.
City officials are now evaluating options for the sculpture’s restoration.
