Tourist defaces Easter Island statue

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 27 (UPI) -- A tourist has been arrested for allegedly ripping the earlobe off one of the world-renowned Easter Island statues.

Finnish traveler Marko Kulju, 26, is accused of pulling the earlobe off the statue, which then broke into several pieces. Kulju then allegedly took a piece of the broken ear with him, The Guardian newspaper reported Thursday.

Kulju was identified by a local woman who said she saw him break the ancient statue and steal part of it.

He could face up to seven years in prison and some $20,000 in fines if convicted of defacing the statue.