An armless Athens street artist said a thief who stole a bucket full of money that had been donated to him saw him as an easy target.
Michael Davenport is known for his University of Georgia artwork. He sketches by holding a pen in his mouth.
On Wednesday, Davenport was in the parking lot of Academy Sports off Atlanta Highway, according to an Athens-Clarke County police report. He stepped away from his work site to take a restroom break shortly before 9:30 a.m.
That’s when someone grabbed the donation bucket and some of his art supplies, the report said. The bucket contained about $58 in cash.
Davenport said his portfolio and easel were still there, but his canvases and markers were also missing.
“From here on out, I’ll have to carry it with me or ask somebody to watch it for me,” Davenport told the Athens Banner-Herald.
It is not the first time Davenport has been the target of a crime. In June 2019, he was hit in the back of the head with a water bottle during a music festival in downtown Athens, AJC.com previously reported.
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His alleged attacker, 29-year-old Darian Kenney, was arrested on aggravated assault charges, according to Clarke County jail records. He remains in jail in lieu of $3,000 bond.
A witness said Kenney stood behind Davenport wearing all black, then put on a mask and hit him in the head.
Davenport fell unconscious, and the witness chased the attacker while his wife called 911, according to the Banner-Herald.
Davenport suffered a minor concussion, the newspaper reported. A customer suggested he add mirrors to his easel so he can see who’s behind him.
Police are still looking for the person responsible for the latest theft outside Academy Sports. Surveillance footage from the store captured a gold minivan stop near Davenport’s work site, according to the incident report. A person is seen getting out of the van, grabbing the art supplies and donation bucket, and leaving.
However, police said the quality of the video doesn’t allow investigators to determine the race or gender of the thief.
“The officer told me they saw an opportunity,” Davenport told the Banner-Herald. “They saw my stuff and they see me by myself and they know my reputation and that I’m out there making money. So I’m an easy target.”
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