Posted 10:12 pm Sunday, December 02, 2007
Massive Snowman Swiped
By LAUREN GROVER
Staff Writer
A very white male, 42-foot tall with a bulbous figure, last seen with a pipe, top hat and scarf, went missing from a Christmas tree lot late Friday night.
Did he escape? Melt?
No - lot owner Royce Wisenbaker says he was dragged over a fence and off the property, and a $1,000 reward is on the table for his return.
The massive cold-air balloon snowman, dubbed "Frosty," has bobbed and waved at Tyler residents season after season at the Dixon Farms tree lot, South Loop 323.
"It's a symbol of Christmas," said Tyler resident Ed Barry. "I've talked to many people who've said they know the season has arrived when Frosty goes up."
Staff Writer
A very white male, 42-foot tall with a bulbous figure, last seen with a pipe, top hat and scarf, went missing from a Christmas tree lot late Friday night.
Did he escape? Melt?
No - lot owner Royce Wisenbaker says he was dragged over a fence and off the property, and a $1,000 reward is on the table for his return.
The massive cold-air balloon snowman, dubbed "Frosty," has bobbed and waved at Tyler residents season after season at the Dixon Farms tree lot, South Loop 323.
"It's a symbol of Christmas," said Tyler resident Ed Barry. "I've talked to many people who've said they know the season has arrived when Frosty goes up."
FROSTY MISSING: Site at Dixon Farms Christmas tree lot where the 42-foot-tall Frosty the Snowman decoration used to stand before he was stolen on Saturday morning.
On Saturday morning, the snowman's empty pen lay bare with no sign of his exit.
Tyler Police are investigating the theft that could result in a felony charge.
Lot owner Royce Wisenbaker stood nearby, pointing to a fence he believes Frosty was hoisted over.
It's unfortunate, he said, because this is their busiest weekend. The lot closes next week.
"I was going to leave it lit up for everyone after we close," he said. "But now it's gone."
The cold-air balloon cost $10,000, and included a 500-watt halogen light and motor.
Though never stolen before, Frosty is no stranger to vandalism, Wisenbaker said.
"It gets shot at a lot," he said. "One year some kids cut it up with knives, thinking it would deflate. We're on our third balloon (in 24 years) because of vandalism."
Still, he couldn't believe the call he received from lot workers at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
"I never dreamed anyone would go to the trouble to do this," he said.
There's a $1,000 reward for the return of Frosty "in good health," Wisenbaker said.
His guess is the culprits are selling the cold-air balloon for $1,000 or $2,000.
"Do you have any suspects?" one customer asked.
Wisenbaker said he doubted kids swiped the snowman.
"If it was kids, they were some strong ones," he said.
A block away, four Christmas displays totaling $150 were stolen from the yard of a home owned by Jim Reed.
He speculated the thieves might have been the same ones who stole the snowman.
"I was surprised - we did this last year and didn't have any problems," he said. "It's disappointing that people would do something like this."
Tyler Police are investigating the theft that could result in a felony charge.
Lot owner Royce Wisenbaker stood nearby, pointing to a fence he believes Frosty was hoisted over.
It's unfortunate, he said, because this is their busiest weekend. The lot closes next week.
"I was going to leave it lit up for everyone after we close," he said. "But now it's gone."
The cold-air balloon cost $10,000, and included a 500-watt halogen light and motor.
Though never stolen before, Frosty is no stranger to vandalism, Wisenbaker said.
"It gets shot at a lot," he said. "One year some kids cut it up with knives, thinking it would deflate. We're on our third balloon (in 24 years) because of vandalism."
Still, he couldn't believe the call he received from lot workers at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
"I never dreamed anyone would go to the trouble to do this," he said.
There's a $1,000 reward for the return of Frosty "in good health," Wisenbaker said.
His guess is the culprits are selling the cold-air balloon for $1,000 or $2,000.
"Do you have any suspects?" one customer asked.
Wisenbaker said he doubted kids swiped the snowman.
"If it was kids, they were some strong ones," he said.
A block away, four Christmas displays totaling $150 were stolen from the yard of a home owned by Jim Reed.
He speculated the thieves might have been the same ones who stole the snowman.
"I was surprised - we did this last year and didn't have any problems," he said. "It's disappointing that people would do something like this."
