Posted on 08/25/2005 10:08:36 AM PDT by Cowman
Kirsty Scott Thursday August 25, 2005 The Guardian
Police are trying to reunite numerous garden gnomes with their owners after discovering an "Aladdin's cave" of ornaments during a raid on a house in Alloa.
Officers investigating complaints that gnomes, plant pots and animal figures were disappearing from gardens across central Scotland raided the house in Clackmannanshire and found more than 40 ornaments, including rabbits, hedgehogs, birds, frogs and a terrier.
A total of 62 plant pots and 25 solar lights were also recovered, together with a decorative wheelbarrow. Central Scotland police said there had been a spate of reported thefts in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk.
A spokeswoman for the force said the raid had been part of an 11-day anti-crime operation involving CID officers, the tactical crime and drugs unit and operational staff in Stirling area command. She added: "We can confirm that two females have been charged in relation to the discovery and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal." It is understood that police raided the house after a tip-off from a member of the public.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Roy Lake said yesterday: "This was a significant achievement by Central Scotland officers.
"We have been investigating a number of reported thefts of garden ornaments across the force area over the past few weeks. Our task now is to identify who the items belong to and ensure they are given back to their rightful owners."
I thought gnomes came to life at night when people are sleeping. Maybe they just got up and walked away.
The theft, assault and burglary rate in the UK is much higher than in the U.S.
Wherever you go in this world, There's no place like gnome.....
...and don't forget your hat.
I lost my family's fruit bat guano empire because a lunatic stole the gnomes that guarded my hoards of treasure. This is a barbaric crime against humanity. I hope this trollop is tortured relentlessly for her evil behavior.
This is clearly a fugitive Gnome safe-house that got raided.
This careless reporter never says whether the two female suspects are members of the Gnome Liberation Front or merely have an inordinate liking for garden ornaments.
Thank heavens our garden gnomes are safe!
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