The city of Thousand Oaks experienced vandalism recently when the Huberth Memorial Sculpture in the Mary and Richard Carpenter Park had three oak pillars stolen from its concrete base sometime between May 27 and June 1.

Lorraine Larsen noticed on June 1 that three of the seven pillars were missing. Three metal stakes protruded from the concrete base where twisted, gnarled oak pillars once stood.

Larsen is the sister of Capt. Eric Huberth, a Thousand Oaks resident who is listed as Missing in Action in Vietnam in 1970.

Artist Gulhis CelayirMonezis was commissioned in 1999 to create a sculpture from the wood of a dead oak tree dedicated to the memory of

Huberth. The sculpture was dedicated Jan. 20, 2001, which would have been the 56th birthday of Huberth, to honor him and all those listed as Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

"By visiting this sculpture we feel close to Eric and all prisoners of war and missing in action victims. We hope that whoever committed this act realizes the symbolic importance this sculpture holds to our family and other families," the Huberth family said.

The city of Thousand Oaks is committed to bringing the sculpture back to its original design form.

Anyone who has information related to this crime is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at (805) 494-8255.