SEATTLE — LED-lit monkeys, set up in businesses around Phinney Ridge to celebrate community and proximity to the zoo, have been targeted by thieves.
The 150 monkeys were set up for the holidays, and since Thanksgiving, five of the monkeys have been stolen, including three in just the last week.
"We have 500 volunteer hours in this project,” said Mike Veitenhans, who helped coordinate the project to put the monkeys in storefronts around the neighborhood.
Thieves stole monkeys out of trees and outside Red Mill Burgers and Starbucks.
"Holy cow, it's gone,” said Veigenhans.
"There's a lot of work that goes into a monkey. They're about $200 a piece,” he added.
They were welded and put together by volunteers.
Now, according to police Veigenhans contacted after filing a police report, officers think the monkeys are being sold for scrap metal.
"It's kind of like the Grinch. I hope the Grinch doesn't steal any more. But you can't keep us down, and we're super excited about it,” said Park Public House owner Justin Sauvageau, who is proud to have the monkeys in his windows.
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