The incident was caught on CCTV earlier this month. The life-size gorilla, which lived in a pond in the front garden of Chris Moss’s house, was considered a “suitable landmark” in the area. He said the ornament “didn’t cost very much” but had “tremendous sentimental value”.
Mr Moss, who works as an antique clock restorer, said the community was “devastated” by the theft.
Police are now appealing for more information to try and catch the attacker.
Mr Moss said CCTV footage showed the hooded thief struggling to steal the garden ornament.
They then left the scene and returned shortly after with “tools to finish the job”.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Moss said: “It’s a fitting landmark in Frome.
“It’s a very big thing sticking out of the water 0.6m.
“It didn’t cost a huge amount of money, but it was of huge sentimental value to both me and everyone in the community.”
Although the thief was caught ‘in the act’ on CCTV, Mr Moss said no one had seen the gorilla’s ‘hide or tail’ since.
He added: “Since it left people have been knocking on the door asking what happened.
“There’s a school down the street and all the kids love the gorilla.
“People use it to give directions to people around Frome.
“I can’t believe it was stolen.
“I felt devastated, really annoyed and upset when I found out.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Constabulary told the BBC they had received a report of a large black plastic gorilla being stolen.
The force urged anyone with information to come forward.
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Source: www.express.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-16 14:51:00
