Someone — or more likely several people — stole a picturesque boulder known as Wizard Rock from along a roadside near Prescott about two weeks ago.

And there's a good chance the theft occurred in plain sight.

The landmark rock is a black boulder with white quartz running through it that weighs about a ton. It was a familiar landmark to many folks driving on State Route 89 near White Spar Road south of Prescott.

The rock was a popular photo stop for motorists, Prescott National Forest officials said.

Forest officials are asking the public to share any information related to the removal of the boulder.

Rock too big to move by hand

Trails and Wilderness Manager Jason Williams said it most likely took someone operating heavy equipment to remove the rock.

“The easy way to do it would be a back hoe,” Williams said. “But, if you had a trailer positioned properly and didn’t mind beating some things up you might be able to do it with a Bobcat. But you surely aren’t going to be able to do it any other way.”

He said it would be hard to get enough people around the limited surface area of the rock to lift it without equipment. Using heavy equipment to move the boulder may be part of the reason no one reported the rock going missing.

“I think what happens is the general public, if they see somebody working with equipment in the forest, they see the equipment and assume it’s an authorized thing,” Williams said. “It looks professional and they think they must be doing something the forest service has said ‘go ahead’ or even paid for.”

Williams said the forest service sometimes uses boulders to delineate areas where visitors can drive or park from off-limits areas. The boulders are either moved from other parts of the forest or purchased, he said.

“Sometimes it’s easier to have somebody deliver it and drop it in place than for me to go harvest one with a backhoe and a dump truck and trailer and all that stuff.” Williams said.

He said purchased boulders cost $100-$200 per ton, depending on the uniqueness or beauty of the stone.

Other boulders have been taken

Wizard Rock is not the only boulder to have gone missing in the past four months. Individuals using heavy equipment also removed boulders on Dearing Road near Thumb Butte Road in Prescott.

In 2009, an 80-pound heart-shaped rock was taken from Granite Mountain Wilderness. A local newspaper ran a story about the theft which led to its return. The person returned the rock anonymously, saying they didn’t realize how much it meant to other people.

In an emailed statement, Sarah Clawson, district ranger for Prescott National Forest's Bradshaw Ranger District, said it was unfortunate to lose such a treasure as Wizard Rock.

“Our hope is that it will be returned to us, and these recent recurring events will become an educational opportunity" Clawson wrote. “These boulders belong to the public, and should be enjoyed by locals and visitors for years to come."

It's illegal to take things without a permit

Officials are seeking the public’s help in finding out what happened to Wizard Rock. It is illegal to remove minerals from National Forest land without a permit.

A violation could result in a maximum fine of $5,000, six months in jail or both.

Anyone with information is urged to call 928-443-8110.

Permits are required to take most forest products, including rocks, minerals, firewood, plants and trees. For more information on permits, call the national forest you're planning to visit.

Reach the reporter at weldon.johnson@arizonarepublic.com. Or follow him on Twitter at @weldonjohnson.

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