A bronze statue of Dollard-des-Ormeaux and commemorative plaques were stolen last week in Saint-André-d'Argenteuil, northwest of Montreal. (Billy Morin- MRC d'Argenteuil)

Provincial police continue to investigate the theft of a historic statue in the town of Saint-André-d'Argenteuil, northwest of Montreal.

Last week, thieves made off with a bronze statue of French colonist and soldier Dollard-des-Ormeaux, as well as commemorative plaques.

Town Coun. Rolland Weightman said he was shocked to hear that the nearly century-old statue of Dollard-des-Ormeaux was stolen.

Weightman said people in Saint-André-d'Argenteuil are very attached to the statue. It was stolen from the spot where historians say Dollard-des-Ormeaux died under siege by the Iroquois in 1660.

Weightman said the bronze statue and two other plaques in the town were stolen in broad daylight last Wednesday.

Town Mayor Daniel Beaulieu said his grandfather helped erect the statue in 1919. He said he doesn't know how much the statue is worth or what the thieves will do with it, but confirmed the town cannot afford to replace it.

“Everybody had a great respect for Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and to think that this will be melt[ed] just for a few dollars is really, really disgusting,” said Beaulieu.

Beaulieu said other towns should be on alert and temporarily remove valuable statues from unsupervised public places.