Giant skeleton stolen in broad daylight

A Brandon couple is asking people to be on the lookout for their 10-foot skeleton named Mokus that was stolen from their front yard in broad daylight earlier this month.

“It just feels violating because it wasn’t on a whim — it was definitely premeditated,” said homeowner Ashley Haarmann.

Haarmann said the skeleton was in the yard of the couple’s Richmond Heights home when she and her husband left for work before 9 a.m. on Oct. 14, but it was gone when she came home at about 4 p.m.

“So I feel like they were watching us, trying to see when we both were at work. That’s what’s so violating.”

Mokus is made of high-density polyethylene, weighs between 44 and 50 pounds and has eyes that turn bright red at the flick of a switch.

Half a dozen stakes secured Mokus to the ground, and because of the hours it took to assemble it, Haarmann said she doubted the thieves wanted to waste that time taking it apart.

“They had to pull out all the long metal stakes, tip him on his side and drag him by his arms. I saw the drag marks on the grass,” she said.

“It had to have been a minimum of two people because Mokus was so large and awkward and heavy, and they would have had a truck or an obviously large vehicle.”

The couple doesn’t have a doorbell camera, but Haarmann said they’re “going to get one now.”

Her husband, Les Mitchell, created a flyer letting neighbours know about the theft, describing the date and time Mokus disappeared.

He included a photo of the skeleton with a message, “We have filed a police report but are hoping someone on our street saw something suspicious in person or on camera. Keep an eye on your stuff!”

So far, none of the neighbours have come forward with any information, but Barb Fraser, who lives around the corner, said she received the flyer.

“I can’t believe they would take it in the daytime,” Fraser told the Sun Friday afternoon.

“And even if someone saw what was going on, maybe they thought it was just being taken down. But then again, it’s perfect for Halloween. I just don’t know,” she said.

Neighbour Allen Howe lives a few doors down from Haarmann and Mitchell and said he has a doorbell camera, but it didn’t pick anything up.

“It’s unfortunate that someone steals decorations. And I don’t want to stereotype or anything, but I’ve seen guys on bikes going up and down back lanes looking for stuff. It could be somewhere on an acreage by now,” Howe said.

This would have been Mokus’s second Halloween in the couple’s yard. They bought the skeleton last October, paying almost $400.

When asked if it was possible that one of the neighbours may not have appreciated having the skeleton there year-round, Haarmann said it was in the back of her mind.

“I’m not ruling it out, but I don’t think so. And even if someone didn’t like it, it’s not your property, so leave it alone,” she said.

Haarmann and Mitchell filed a police report within an hour of coming home on the day of the theft. They said they were pleased that the officer who answered the call took it seriously.

Some may think taking a holiday decoration is harmless, but it is a crime, said Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates. It can result in a theft charge with potential for additional charges.

“Brandon Police Service takes all thefts seriously and encourages residents to take precautions — securing property, lighting, and installing security cameras — to help protect their homes,” Bates said in an email to the Sun.

“We understand that holiday décor is meant to be displayed and is therefore vulnerable, so we are disheartened by this latest incident, and it will continue to be investigated. We hope that the decoration is returned to its rightful owner,” he said.

Haarmann also posted a message on People of Brandon’s Facebook page on Thursday. As of 5 p.m. on Friday, the post had reached 14,000 people.

She hopes that means somebody might see Mokus.

“I’m just hoping we can bring him home soon.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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