The eagle has landed… back in its rightful place at St Paul’s Church in Yelverton
A 49-year-old man has been convicted of handling stolen goods after a 100-year-old wooden eagle was stolen from a church in Yelverton in May 2025.
The hand-carved eagle-shaped lectern was sawn off its pedestal and taken from St Paul's Church in Yelverton in May of last year.
With support from the Neighbourhood Policing team in Tavistock, St Paul’s Church issued a social media appeal and carried out enquiries in the local community, resulting in two witnesses coming forward.
The eagle was recovered a few days later following an anonymous phone call about its whereabouts.
Thomas Brumby, aged 49, from Plymouth, was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage shortly afterwards.
Following investigations, he appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 23 July 2026 and pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. Brumby will be sentenced later this year.
Sergeant Tom Ottley leads teams in Tavistock and Okehampton. He said “We’re pleased that the efforts of the neighbourhood policing team in Tavistock have led to a charge and that the Eagle has been rightfully returned to St Paul’s Church.
“I would like to thank the people of Yelverton for their support - this wouldn’t have been possible without the information they provided to us.
“I hope that this outcome offers reassurance to the local community and sends a clear message that criminal activity that threatens our valuable history will not be tolerated.”
Rector Andrew Thomas added “Our whole church community was shocked and deeply saddened by the damage and theft of a valuable and significant piece of our church furniture. We are pleased that a charge has been authorised and recompense is being made.”
Between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, 109 crimes were recorded at churches and religious buildings in Devon and Cornwall. This includes 60 thefts, 26 reports of criminal damage, and 23 reports of violence.
Rural Affairs Sergeant Julian Fry is the force lead for Heritage Crime. He said “Heritage crime causes serious, often irreversible harm to our churches, scheduled monuments and sites of historic interest… and once that history it gone, it’s gone forever.
“Churches and places of worship are focal points for local neighbourhoods, particularly in rural towns and villages where they play a crucial role in building community and combatting isolation, and are a crucial part of history, often stretching back over hundreds of years.
“Thankfully, as a result of proactive policing and support from the people of Yelverton, the 100-year-old Eagle was recovered and has been restored to its former glory and returned to the church.
“It is important that we continue to raise awareness of heritage crime and I would like to encourage anyone who spots suspicious activity at a church or a heritage site to report it to police, no matter how minor it may seem.”
The Eagle has been restored by a specialist and was returned to the church in July 2025.
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