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Missing Mr. Potato Head has been found
9/29/2003
NEWPORT, R.I. -- A giant Mr. Potato Head statue stolen from the driveway of a private estate has been found and returned to its owner.
Police said someone discovered the Revolutionary War clad spud statue in a field. It was returned to owner James Leach over the weekend.
"Although he was ripped and mashed a little bit, he is expected to make a full recovery and soon be on display," quipped Sgt. James Quinn.
The statue, which is 6-feet tall and weighs 150 pounds, was located within the gates of the 17-acre estate. Leach called police after he heard his driveway alarm sounding about 3 a.m. He looked outside and saw a vehicle near the street. He said the gates of the Malbone Estate were open at the time.
The stolen statue was originally sponsored by the governor's office and located in the Statehouse. The sculpture depicts the popular children's toy dressed in a Colonial uniform, wearing a beret with an anchor on it.
It and other Mr. Potato Head statues were created by the state tourism office to promote visitors to the Ocean State.
Leach purchased the spud as a birthday gift for his son. Since then, many people have visited the statue or stopped to have their pictures taken with it, he said.
Police estimated the value of the figure to be about $600.
9/29/2003
NEWPORT, R.I. -- A giant Mr. Potato Head statue stolen from the driveway of a private estate has been found and returned to its owner.
Police said someone discovered the Revolutionary War clad spud statue in a field. It was returned to owner James Leach over the weekend.
"Although he was ripped and mashed a little bit, he is expected to make a full recovery and soon be on display," quipped Sgt. James Quinn.
The statue, which is 6-feet tall and weighs 150 pounds, was located within the gates of the 17-acre estate. Leach called police after he heard his driveway alarm sounding about 3 a.m. He looked outside and saw a vehicle near the street. He said the gates of the Malbone Estate were open at the time.
The stolen statue was originally sponsored by the governor's office and located in the Statehouse. The sculpture depicts the popular children's toy dressed in a Colonial uniform, wearing a beret with an anchor on it.
It and other Mr. Potato Head statues were created by the state tourism office to promote visitors to the Ocean State.
Leach purchased the spud as a birthday gift for his son. Since then, many people have visited the statue or stopped to have their pictures taken with it, he said.
Police estimated the value of the figure to be about $600.
