Florida Man Derek Modrok, 49, of Wilton Manors, was arrested after intentionally driving into a $300k sculpture titled ‘Thunderbunny’ in Justin Flippen Park at 2109 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.
Wilton Manors Police officers responded to Justin Flippen Park about criminal mischief.
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According to police, witnesses said someone had intentionally driven into the “Thunderbunny” rabbit statue. Officers quickly found the driver, who was later identified as Modrok.
Surveillance video showed Modrok in a red vehicle ramming into the sculpture that had been in that location for less than two weeks. He is seen hitting the bunny and then gets out of the car to pick up a piece of the front bumper that fell off. After placing the part back on, Modrok fled the scene.
After further investigation, Modrok admitted to being responsible for another vandalism. Modrok admitted he was also responsible for vandalizing a popsicle statue at Rachel Richardson Park on May 18.
Modrok told police he vandalized the sculpture because he believed that the former mayor of Wilton Manors was responsible for “The birds that we hear.”
Residents in the area were shocked to see several art installations across the city damaged.
“I hope they press all kinds of charges against him because the statue is on loan, and it took six months to build it in Italy, and its on loan to Wilton Manors for us to enjoy, and it’s just tragic something like that happened,” Adam Ostrover said.
Detectives said, “These incidents do not appear hate-motivated or biased in any way.”
“From what I saw on social media this morning, it was done intentionally,” Ostrover said. “They say it wasn’t a hate crime, but it’s hard for me to say.”
Residents are now happy that Modrok was arrested and charged. They are left wondering what his motive was for destroying the statues.
“There are people who don’t like art, and they assume all art is connected to liberal thinking, and you know, the arts are sort of a turn-off to a lot of people,” Julie Suneson said. “And if you put that in a place like Wilton Manors, it’s known for its diversity.”
Derek Alan Modrok, a 49-year-old Florida resident, admitted to running his car into a tall, blue sculpture of a rabbit titled "Thunderbunny" by American artist Hunt Slonem. https://t.co/UkyvTAYCQr
— ARTnews (@artnews) May 25, 2023
Does Derek Alan Modrok have enough money to pay to repair the art he destroyed? If forced to reimburse the community, he will think twice before acting on his ignorance and hatred while sending a message to other would-be vandals. $300,000, please.
— MiddleclassVote (@Voter99percent) May 26, 2023
Modrok was charged with three counts of criminal mischief and bonded out over the weekend.
The artist for the sculpture is in New York and will have to inspect the sculpture further to see if there is any more damage.
“It’s very disappointing and shocking,” said sculptor Hunt Slonem. “The point of the sculpture is to make people joyous and celebrate life.”
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The sculpture is made of glass mosaic and has over 2,000 pieces of glass.
The actual damage to the sculpture is still unknown.
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