The theft happened on December 8 around 6:25 a.m. near the southeast corner of City Hall in Center City.
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Police released video of an unknown man using a red shopping cart to transport a 20-foot section of an antique brass railing away from the building. It had been cut into small sections.
"Why? Why would you cut a section out and steal it?" asked Danette Horne, of Mt. Airy. She was surprised that someone would steal it.
Philly police release video of City Hall theft suspect
Officials estimate it's worth $15,000 to $20,000 and acknowledge it may be worth much more. It can be seen in some of the earliest photos of City Hall, which was completed in 1901 after almost 30 years.
A similar crime happened about a block away in 2016. Someone stole a brass railing from the Union League, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
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Some aren't surprised it happened, though. They don't think anything is off limits, even the city's history.
"They're stealing ATM machines on a regular basis. So, no it doesn't surprise me. It's sad but it doesn't surprise me," said Vance Dichristo.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
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