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Tomahawk taken from iconic Kowaliga

Staff Report

"Poor ol' KAW-LIGA, he never got a kiss." It's the lyric from the Hank Williams song about the wooden Indian standing by the door. The replica of the figure that stands at Kowaliga Restaurant at Lake Martin is now missing its tomahawk.

On Sunday, Sept. 4, a man identified as John Mason Friday (19) allegedly took the wooden tomahawk from the statue. The tomahawk alone is valued at over $1,000.

Investigators also advised that the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department has recalled the warrant for Casey Dean Foshee.
After investigating the offense and with the help of Foshee, the offender has been identified as John Mason Friday from the Maplesville community. Friday was notified that a warrant had been signed for the offense and turned himself in to the sheriff’s office on Monday, Sept. 12.  The stolen tomahawk was turned into the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, which was then released back to the Kowaliga Restaurant.

The Sheriff’s Department advised CrimeStoppers that there are other individuals that have been identified as suspects involved in the original offense.  The case will be presented to a grand jury. No other photos and or identifications will be released at this time due to the presentation of the suspects and evidence to the grand jury.

Surveillance video shows the individual first entering the restaurant and pulling the tomahawk out and putting it back in place. The additional footage shows him reentering the establishment and taking the piece with him.

Surveillance Video

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