I am compelled to write this letter as a warning to property owners with garden art. In the middle of a quiet Sunday afternoon, Feb. 10, I saw a Jeep Cherokee (white with brown sides) stop in front of our house on Squalicum Lake Road, and a woman got out and snatched the Buddha statue from under the tree at the head of our driveway!
I ran to the road, just as she got in the passenger seat, and the car took off at high speed. Fortunately, a truck came up behind me, the driver stopped and I said "They just stole our Buddha!" He raced after them to get their license plate number, and called the police.
The thieves realized they were caught and turned around to return our statue. They pulled in our driveway and our statue was thrown to the ground. My husband was nearly run over trying to talk to the driver, as she hurried to get away.
She was later contacted by the police and lied to the officer about living in our house years ago and the statue was hers, although it was purchased by my husband almost 20 years ago. The attempted theft would be sad enough if it had been a birdbath, but to steal a Buddha?
Anyone who has a passing knowledge of Buddhism has heard of karma. So garden art owners beware! The only reason we have our Buddha back is because I happened to see the theft, and we have a heroic neighbor who chased them down. Our heartfelt thanks to you, neighbor!
- Stephanie Russo of Bellingham, via Letters to the Editor
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