Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe EATONTON, Ga., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Authorities in Georgia said the Br'er Rabbit statue stolen last week from a museum was found damaged and is undergoing repairs. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said the statue, stolen from the grounds of the Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton Aug. 7, was found in a wooded area outside of the city at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday. Advertisement Sills said the 250-pound statue sustained some damage, including having its pipe broken off. "We are certain Br'er Rabbit will soon be able to return to his perch in front of the museum in better condition than he was prior to his abduction," the sheriff said. "It appears the incident started as a prank, but went awry after the statue was damaged," he said. The sheriff said authorities expect to arrest four suspects in the coming days on theft by taking charges. Br'er Rabbit appeared in numerous "Uncle Remus" stories penned by author Joel Chandler Harris in the 1870s. Read More Flying creature 'grabs' surfer statue Br'er Rabbit statue stolen in Georgia Rooster statue knocked from perch Officials mull controversial statue's fate