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Where on earth is Pedro?

An apparent kidnapping sparks intrigue, amusement, the whole enchilada.

By CRISTINA SILVA
Published July 15, 2007

GULFPORT - Pedro the Mexican statue was an everyman, a happy-go-lucky fellow who easily made friends.

At Peg's Cantina, a family-owned restaurant with an offbeat clientele, customers would flirt with him, ask him to come home with them, beg him to buy another round of drinks.

Then, last week, Pedro was gone. The little guy with the wide smile had been swiped.

In what has become one of the more amusing pranks to descend on Gulfport, the disappearance of the sombrero-and-poncho-clad statue from this popular Mexican restaurant has piqued regulars, who are speculating about Pedro's whereabouts.

"It's pretty humorous," said Chef Tony Dodson, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Peg Wesselink. "They went all out."

The kidnapping caper began Tuesday, when a customer noticed that the statue was missing from its usual spot near the entrance of the restaurant.

The ransom note arrived the next day, tucked under the front door. The abductors cleverly tried to pass it off as if Pedro had run away.

Written on a piece of brown paper bag, with edges slightly burned, the note arrived with instructions: "Please read with a Spanish accent."

The note continues, in a poor imitation of Spanglish: "I need vacation. I go. If me come back, I want Mas dinero, free cerveza when to work, and one of dose Buns of Steel Vidios! You no try to follow or I go jump in de Wood Cheeper!!!"

The kidnappers also left half a dozen pictures of Pedro at what appears to be a resort, sipping fruity drinks with friends, standing on a golf course and preparing to go down a water slide. In one picture, he poses in front of a pool. The caption reads, "This is the life! Ah, me in Cancun."

Wesselink and Dodson knew that their customers had a goofy sense of humor, but they never expected Pedro to fall victim to such a prank.

They posted the pictures on a wall in the restaurant and interrogated several suspects, but everyone has so far denied having any involvement in the disappearance.

One customer said Pedro was probably out sowing his oats and would return when he was good and ready. Another offered to give them a copy of Buns of Steel so the mascot would return.

A few customers asked if the whole thing was a publicity stunt, which Wesselink denied.

Despite the mystery, Wesselink and Dodson are sure their little international friend will make a safe return.

The statue was given to them two years ago by a customer. Over the years, some called him Fidel, Miguel or Jose. But in the end, Pedro was the name that stuck.

Pedro disappeared just as Wesselink and Dodson were preparing to reopen Peg's Cantina at a new spot along Beach Boulevard, Gulfport's downtown thoroughfare.

Saturday was closing night at the 22nd Avenue S location, which opened three years ago.

The kitschy statue fit in perfectly with the decor and laid-back vibe of the restaurant. With its funky light fixtures, posters of Frida Kahlo and walls in hues of burnt sienna, Peg's lent a feeling of having dinner at your coolest friend's home.

For some regulars, the new Peg's won't be the same without Pedro.

"We are all hoping for his safe return," Nancy Cervenka said as she munched on tortilla chips at the restaurant late last week.

"He was a very giving guy," deadpanned her friend Kelly Hill. "I'm worried."

Fast Facts:

Have you seen me?

Pedro

Missing since: July 10

Sex: male

Height: 3 feet

Weight: 35 pounds

Hair color: black

Circumstances: Pedro was last seen carrying an oversized strawberry margarita, which was carved into his arms. Pedro was handcrafted from a resin mold and then hand painted. He may still be in the area, though his captors claim he has crossed the border and run away to Cancun.

[Last modified July 14, 2007, 21:31:20]