Monday, May 29 2006
FRAMINGHAM, MA - For years, the large wooden Indian in front of Watch City Cigars greeted those driving westbound on Rte. 9 from Natick to Framingham.
But, no more, the 7-
foot tall, several hundred pound, mahogany cigar store Indian was destroyed, found shattered yesterday by store owner Dan DeCecca.
"I've had it for five years," said DeCecca. "It's a beautiful statue. I just paid $1,800 to refinish two Indians, and I came into work and I find it destroyed."
Police have a suspect they are questioning, but have made no arrests. DeCecca said he knows who did it -- someone he said has had an ongoing dispute with for the past two months.
"He's been harassing me," said DeCecca. "He didn't like me cutting through a parking lot."
The News is not naming the man because he has not been charged and he could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The problem began about two months ago when DeCecca cut through a parking lot on the way to work, and the other man began yelling at him about it. The man did not live near the parking lot, or work there.
It escalated to the point where the man would block the entrance to the parking lot, not allowing DeCecca to drive through.
"I have no idea why he was upset," said DeCecca. "For a few days, he stood out in front of the store with a sign that said, 'Indian Desecration.'"
Recently, DeCecca called the police on the man because he caught him gouging the Indian with a nail, and the man was ordered to stay off the property.
Yesterday, DeCecca said he saw the man walking near the property, but not on it.
DeCecca said he paid $4,000 for the Indian five years ago, and $2,000 for the granite block. He said it is insured, but he has a $1,000 deductible.
He originally was not going to put anything in the spot, but DeCecca said he was not going to let the vandal win.
"I have a nice 5-foot-tall cowboy statue I've put out there," said DeCecca. "Let's see if he protests that, too."
- Norman MIller / Milford Daily News Staff (May 25, 2006)
