Suspected pig topiary thief turns self in, apologizes

A man suspected of stealing a pig topiary in Kalamazoo has turned himself in and offered an apology.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports surveillance imagery of the man walking with the pig in tow spurred a social media hunt after being posted by the nonprofit Kalamazoo in Bloom, which decorates Kalamazoo and Portage with flowers and animal topiaries.

Monika Trahe, the group’s executive director, says the man “admitted to not thinking about the possible consequences for these actions, and has voluntarily offered to reimburse Kalamazoo in Bloom for the loss.”

In a statement, Trahe thanked police and the public “for showing their support for safeguarding our plantings.”

The topiary, which is valued at $100, wasn’t recovered. The newspaper says the group’s animal topiaries are often targets for vandalism or theft.  (AP)