Fake flamingos stolen from Mansfield home

MANSFIELD, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Mansfield homeowner says he’s frustrated after some of his fake pink flamingos were stolen from his front yard.

Retired homeowner Arthur O’Neil has been setting up creative displays for four years, but a rash of thefts this summer has left him without some of his flamingo flock.

“People drive by. They love it, the neighborhood loves it,” the homeowner said.

It started as a joke and has since turned into a post-retirement hobby. The 68-year-old says he had 40 of his flamingos stolen -- only one came back with a ransom note.

“Basically what it said, ‘if you want to see Arturo and your friends again, please call this number,’” said O’Neil. “I thought, ‘okay, not bad guys.’”

O’Neil says thieves started swiping his flamingos in May. He was able to capture images of the two people he says took off with all but two flamingos.

“They’re young people and they think it’s a joke. Fine,” O’Neil said.

O’Neil says he doesn’t harbor any ill will; he just wants his birds to return to the flock.

“Come to daddy. I’ll do it up to a certain point but eventually I will give up and say, ‘you won guys,’” O’Neil said.

O’Neil says he believes it’s a publicity stunt.