LAGUNA BEACH

A 3-foot-high statue modeled from a famous Marilyn Monroe pose was reportedly stolen about noon Wednesday from a contemporary art gallery on North Coast Highway. The statue, priced at $8,500, was on display in the front window of the Marion Meyer Contemporary Art studio. According to owner Marion Cuddyer, one man entered the shop briefly, then left. He and another man returned shortly thereafter and walked out with the statue. Cuddyer, who was watching the men from her office, said the theft happened very quickly. She said she was unable to determine in which direction the two men fled. The statue has not been recovered.