A noted sculpture that has stood for 25 years outside the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis is badly damaged after a man allegedly broke into construction equipment and dropped a heavy boom lift onto the artwork.

A 35-year-old man was arrested after using construction equipment to destroy the Angel of Harmony statue outside the Cathedral Basilica on Tuesday evening.

A 35-year-old man was arrested for using a boom lift to damage the Angel of Harmony statue at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, with the act caught on surveillance.

A police dog, Finn, searched with officers and found the man hiding near Euclid and Maryland avenues, police said Wednesday morning.

Police arrived at the ornate Catholic cathedral in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood after a caller reported that a man was tampering with construction equipment. The statue had been knocked off its pedestal. Police said the suspect also apparently fired a gunshot into an unoccupied car. It was not clear why.

The Metropolitan Police Department (STLMPD) received a call around 8 p.m. Tuesday evening regarding a man tampering with construction equipment. When they arrived on the scene, they found a boom lift had been dropped onto the Angel of Harmony statue.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that part of one of the children was broken off and the angel's wings appeared to be damaged. The motive for Tuesday night's vandalism was unknown, said police, who arrested a 35-year-old suspect.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police have arrested a 35-year-old man after he allegedly tampered with construction equipment and used it to damage a statue at the Cathedral Basilica.