By OLIVER GOOD

Staff writer

As Chingawassa Days draw nigh and the Rhino Capital of Kansas prepares for its annual festival, Theresa Carroll searches for her stolen rhinoceros.

“His name is ‘Lucky’ and he looks like a drunken Irishman,” Carroll, owner of TC’s What Not Shop, said. “I just hope he’s not face down in a ditch somewhere.

“He may have been asking for it because he was sitting by the alley, and I realize it may have just been kids playing a prank, but it costs money.”

At an estimated loss of $200, Lucky was “abducted” from her storefront sometime between 7 p.m. May 8 and 9 a.m. May 9, according to a report by officer Duane McCarty.

Like other rhino statues in Marion, Lucky was gray until Carroll gave him his own unique style. She said local artist Jim Versch painted his gray concrete skin a radiant green nearly eight years ago when TC’s opened.

“Lucky had shamrock eyes and a funny smile,” Carroll said. “Last time I checked, he also had a long goatee and a tuft of hair on his forehead.”

She hopes to get Lucky back before Chingawassa Days start the first weekend in June, and she has a message for whoever took him.

“Bring Lucky home,” Carroll said. “I’m even willing to take an anonymous message as to his whereabouts. Just tell me where he is and I will go rescue him.”