The statue stood outside Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace on West 17th Street and Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island. It was worth $4,000, and now the church has to raise funds to buy a new one.

The statue depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most iconic images of the Virgin Mary, and it is particularly revered by Mexican-Americans.

A second statue in the group outside the Coney Island church depicts St. Juan Diego. Catholics believe his cloak was miraculously impressed with an image of Mary. It is now on display at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, north of Mexico City.