Residents of Frome, Somerset are mourning the loss of a 'landmark' life-sized plastic gorilla after it was stolen from a man's home earlier this month.

The ape was stolen from a pond at the front of Chris Moss's home by a hooded thief at around 2am on March 6.

Mr Moss, an antique English clock restorer, discovered the gorilla was gone when he woke up and checked the CCTV footage only to see the offender attempt to make off with it before fleeing and only to return later with "tools to finish the job off".

The thief then spent "six or seven minutes trying to prise it off" the pond where it has been in place for the last 2 years.

Mr Moss said the community was "devastated" by the theft of the ornament which has been dubbed a 'local landmark.'

He said: "It's a proper landmark in Frome. It a great big thing and sticks out of the water a good 2ft (0.6m).

"It didn't cost a huge amount but it was of huge sentimental value both for me and everyone in the community."

• 

  Chernobyl photographer braved skin-burning radiation only to discover snaps were ruined

However, the incident is not the first time something has been stolen from Mr Moss's garden as the gorilla was the replacement for a pink flamingo that was stolen in similar circumstances.

The previous theft had prompted the bloke to install cameras and bolt down the ape, however, that didn't deter the brazen thief who was caught "red-handed" on camera.

But despite the camera footage, the missing gorilla hasn't been seen since.

He added: "Since it's gone I've had people knocking on the door asking what has happened.

To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.

"There's a school down the road and all the kids love the gorilla. People use it to give people directions around Frome.

"I can't believe that it's been stolen. I felt devastated, really annoyed and upset when I found out."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary has confirmed that they received a report relating to the theft of a large black plastic gorilla and has issued an appeal for anyone with any information to contact them.

Source: Read Full Article