Frog-nappers take off with garden decor

A custom-made, copper-toned metal frog was stolen from outside a home in Angels Camp sometime between Nov. 1 and 9.

The three-foot tall, four-foot long, two-dimensional statue was taken from its perch in front of the home on Live Oak Drive in the Angel Oaks subdivision while its owners, Jim and Deanna Taaffe, were out of town.
  

“It would take a couple of people to pick it up,” she said. “It’s not that heavy, (but) it’s awkward.”

The frog was also chained to its perch.

Deanna said they had the frog specially made by metal sculptor Lucio Romero, whose enormous and fantastical sculptures, ranging from dinosaurs to dragons, can be seen from Highway 108 in Oakdale.

It is the second frog statue stolen in the county in the last four months.

In August, a painted frog scheduled to be auctioned at the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Frogtoberfest fundraiser was stolen from its perch in front of Sierra Nevada Adventure Company.    

That filched frog was found in San Domingo Creek, in time to be auctioned as planned.

Unlike the Murphys frog, the Taaffes’ frog was secured with a steel chain wrapped “very tight” and locked firmly around its ankles, Deanna said.

But the thieves cut through the chains and took a large section of the chain with them.

Angels Camp Police Chief Dale Mendenhall said there were no leads in the case.

“Nothing better to do with their time than steal these frogs,” he said. “It’s crazy.”