Hand-painted Charlie Brown gang stolen from festive display in Oak Bay Park
With less than a month to go until Christmas, the Grinch (or a number of Grinches) have stolen Charlie Brown and some of his friends from Oak Bay Park.
The theft of Charlie Brown, his sister, Sally, and his dog, Snoopy, from the park at the corner of Foul Bay Road and Oak Bay Avenue was noticed sometime Monday afternoon.
The Mayor of Oak Bay says he recalls that the handmade figures have been part of the municipality's festive light display at the entrance to the community for the past 15 years.
The display also included two of Charlie Brown’s friends and his lonely little Christmas tree made famous in the 1960’s Christmas Special.
"They have been there for a very long time," sad Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch. "My understanding is they were donated to the municipality by a local resident that made them and painted them."
Murdoch says the theft of the Peanuts characters is unusual and he hopes someone took them for a joyride to the beach and will bring them back.
"The material value is literally peanuts but they’re certainly a very familiar and welcome sight in Oak Bay every Christmas," said Murdoch. "If the thieves have a change of heart in the spirit of Christmas and they can return them, or let us know and we’ll pick them up."
Murdoch confirmed that the Oak Bay Police are aware of the theft of the holiday decorations and are investigating.
"I would ask that anybody who spots Charlie Brown, Sally or Snoopy out and about please call us," said Murdoch. "Call the Oak Bay Police or (Oak Bay) Public Works because we would like to have them back."
If you see the missing members of the Peanuts gang, call the Oak Bay Police Department's non-emergency line at 250-592-2424.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.