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Stolen menorah returned anonymously, damaged

The theft of the inflatable 9-foot novelty from the Chabad of Pinellas County is still under investigation.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published January 5, 2006

PALM HARBOR - A mammoth menorah stolen from a local synagogue has been anonymously returned.

But the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate the incident as a theft, authorities said Wednesday.

Members of the Chabad of Pinellas County saw the 9-foot-tall inflatable statue lying near the driveway of their center just after Wednesday morning prayer service.

The novelty went missing Monday, the last day of Hanukkah.

The blue and yellow vinyl menorah came back half-deflated and torn and with what appeared to be cigarette burns on its red base, said Rabbi Shalom Adler, who leads the largely Orthodox congregation.

The menorah, which cost $300, will not be used again because of the damage, Adler said.

Detectives are investigating the incident as grand theft, said Sgt. Jim Bordner, Sheriff's Office spokesman

"We still don't know what the perpetrators' motivation was in this," Bordner said. "What prompted them to take the item and what prompted them to bring it back?"

Adler said his first notion was not to press charges when he realized the menorah was back, but after inspecting the damage he changed his mind and will pursue criminal charges if someone is arrested. He still believes it was a prank.

"Yes, it's back," Adler said. "But I don't think we'll be able to use it again."

[Last modified January 5, 2006, 01:46:15]