The task was not easy but the thugs managed to get their loot by cutting the statue at its base, just above the boots of Berthierville's most famous son.
According to Éloïse Cossette, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec, the hypothesis of a revaluation of the metal given its perceived value is strongly to be considered, even if the 250 pounds of the work are only worth $2.50 each at the scrap dealer. That's a total haul estimated at a paltry $625.
Dismay at the museum
On the side of the museum administration, there is consternation. “The statue dates from 1985 and at the time cost $20,000,” explains Alain Belhumour, general director of the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum. Money raised from the public by the Berthier-Villeneuve committee, the same NPO which would later set up the museum dedicated to Gilles.
Thieves tore the statue of Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve from its base. (Alain Belhumour/Gilles-Villeneuve Museum)
The day after the benefit evening for the benefit of the institution he has directed for nearly 35 years, Alain Belhumour had not even noticed the sad theft. “As I told the police, we are so used to seeing Gilles,” he relates. You know, when I came home in the morning, were you there or not? After dinner, one of my friends calls me and says ''Hey, have you been robbed of Gilles?''. That’s when I called the police.”
“The police officer finished taking his complaint at 3:07 p.m. Thursday afternoon,” explains Éloïse Cossette of the SQ. We are at the stage of knocking on neighbors and requesting images from surveillance cameras in order to shed light on this.”
A thought for the community
The work was first displayed from 1985 to 1994 in a park near the river in Berthierville before finding its place in front of the museum. It was created by the sculptor Jules Lasalle, one of the first works of his illustrious career.
He also created statues of other notable sporting figures such as Louis Cyr, Jackie Robinson, Jean Béliveau and Maurice Richard. Reached by telephone by The Sunthe artist first had a thought for the citizens of Berthierville.
“I find it sad above all for the people of the community, on the one hand,” he said. It's a tribute that they wanted to pay to someone who was from their corner, from my corner. I’m very saddened by this, especially for them.”
The sculptor estimates the weight of the statue to be between 200 and 250 pounds. He has never experienced this kind of thing with one of his works.
The sculptor ready to redo his work
Still, for the sculptor, making a statue of Gilles Villeneuve was particularly significant at the time. He says he is ready to start the process again if the artifact is not found.
“I come from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, a village not very far from Berthierville. Obviously his exploits caught my attention. He is a figure who was striking and inspiring. I was younger, but she was a person who made us proud!
“That’s what inspired me when I made his statue. Make him smile and lively, try to keep a little movement in all that too.”
— Jules Lasalle, sculptor
Jules Lasalle, like many Quebecers of his generation, was sucked in by the Gilles Villeneuve effect and followed auto racing daily at the time when his favorite driver was on the rise.
“I ended up developing a friendship with his manager at the time, Gaston Parent, even going fishing with him. Of course, I learned more about Gilles later, before making the sculpture. He has always been a person who, for me, is of the same caliber as Guy Lafleur or Jean Béliveau, people who are part of our generation.
On the museum side, we are worried about what this theft could represent in terms of costs. “I don’t even know if we are insured for the current value of the work,” says André Belhumour. We have contacted the insurance companies, we will find out more soon. One thing is certain, the statue of Gilles has inestimable value for us.
Anyone who has information regarding this event is invited to contact the criminal information center of the Sûreté du Québec at 1-800-659-4264.
