Statue of Liberty replica missing from NY coffee shop shown blindfolded, beheaded in Web video

Missing Liberty replica turns up in Web beheading

NEW YORK — A replica Statue of Liberty stolen from a New York City coffee shop has apparently turned up in a video that shows it blindfolded, beheaded and smashed to pieces.

The video includes slogans like “We don’t want your freedom” and “Death to America” flashing in 1980s video game font on the screen. The Daily News says police are investigating.

The video, staged to resemble a videotaped beheading by terrorists, was posted to YouTube anonymously on July 4. The Daily News says a copy of it was also sent to the newspaper and to the Brooklyn coffee shop’s owner.

The 200-pound replica of the Statue of Liberty disappeared last month. Owner Debi Ryan called the theft “un-American.”

The coffee shop is known for left-wing political debate, poetry readings and open-mic events.

On the Net:

YouTube, tinyurl.com/mtx554

Information from: Daily News, www.nydailynews.com