Posted on 09/30/2003 6:41:34 AM PDT by bedolido
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) -- Mr. Potato Head was a little mashed and chipped, but otherwise in tater-top shape when he returned home after being whisked away from his cushy estate.
Police said someone found the spud statue in a field. It was returned to owner James Leach over the weekend.
"Although he was ripped and mashed a little bit, he is expected to make a full recovery and soon be on display," said Sgt. James Quinn.
The 6-foot tall, 150-pound statue was stolen Friday from the driveway of a private estate. James Leach called police when an alarm went off.
The statue was situated within the gates of the 17-acre Malbone Estate which were open at the time, Leach said. In 2000, the Rhode Island Tourism Division introduced the Mr. Potato Head figures to promote the state as a family tourist destination. After the advertising campaign, several of the statues were auctioned, with proceeds benefiting charity.
The stolen likeness of the popular children's toy figure was originally located in the Statehouse and clad in a Colonial uniform.
Leach purchased the potato as a birthday gift for his son.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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