The Great Gorilla Heist: A Beloved Statue’s Wild Ride

The quiet town of Carluke, Lanarkshire, was shaken when a beloved 8ft gorilla statue named Gary was stolen from Reynard’s Nursery. The garden centre, where Gary had sat proudly for a decade, was left bereft of its favourite decoration. But in a bizarre twist, a potential sighting of Gary has been reported on the M40 near Warwick services in England.

Gary’s former home, Reynard’s Nursery

According to the garden centre, a black pick-up truck was spotted heading northbound on the M40, with a gorilla statue eerily similar to Gary perched on the back. The sighting has sparked hope among fans of Gary that he may finally be returned to his rightful home.

A similar gorilla statue

The theft of Gary was a brazen one, with thieves pulling up in a white van and unbolting the statue from the ground before making off with it. A road user snapped a photo of the gorilla on the back of a trailer, but was unaware of the significance of the statue at the time.

A white van, similar to the one used in the theft

The owners of Reynard’s Nursery are urging the man who took the photo to come forward and contact the police. Fans of Gary have taken to social media to express their hopes for the statue’s safe return, with one user saying, “Fantastic. Come on everyone, let’s make this too hot to handle.”

The police are urging anyone with information to come forward

Gary, who cost a whopping £3,000, had become a firm favourite among customers and locals alike. His return would be a welcome one, and the people of Carluke are holding their breath in anticipation.

Gary, the beloved gorilla statue

Will Gary be reunited with his adoring fans, or will he remain on the lam? Only time will tell.