Today's Most Popular Video
Dec 19, 2008 1:32 pm US/Central
Gorilla Head Found In Minnesota, Returned
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) ―
-
-
Thieves took the head of the gorilla outside Balloon Magic/Gorilla Grams on Nov. 28, and business owner Elizabeth Ballon soon posted a video on YouTube offering a $1,000 reward. (File)
viewer submitted
The head of a mechanical gorilla is back where it belongs, reattached and on display outside an Appleton store, after a YouTube posting and anonymous tip tracked it to a Minnesota residence.
Thieves took the head of the gorilla outside Balloon Magic/Gorilla Grams on Nov. 28, and business owner Elizabeth Ballon soon posted a video on YouTube offering a $1,000 reward for its return.
The tipster saw the video and alerted Appleton police the head was in Minneapolis.
According to Appleton police Sgt. Michael Daul, Minneapolis Detective James Jensen went to the residence and had no trouble spotting the gorilla.
"He said they had it sitting on their kitchen table as a decorative centerpiece."
The head was returned and reattached, and the gorilla went back on display Thursday afternoon.
But the saga isn't over for the two Minneapolis men, ages 24 and 28, who had it. Police are recommending charges of damage and theft.
One is originally from Oshkosh, and both had been in the area for Thanksgiving weekend.
Ballon said she wants restitution because the incident damaged the internal mechanism of the gorilla, which no longer can wave. A new gorilla can cost about $1,500. She also wants the culprits to pay the reward money.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Letters To Santa Sent To Sex Offender?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
