Inflatable Rhino Stolen from Churchville Store

Police are on the hunt for a suspect that allegedly stole an inflatable rhino from the lawn in front of Tom Adams Windows and Carpets on 2nd Street Pike.

"It's a 20 to 25-foot inflatable rhino that we use to promote a carpet," Sales Manager Robert Barufkin said.

The promotion shows that if the carpet can handle the wild life of a wild animal, it can handle any family, Barufkin said.

The business owner of the Churchville store reported the lawn ornament stolen from the front of the store between 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning, the Northampton Township Police report said.

The hope was to have the rhino outside through Saturday, Oct. 13, but when workers arrived to the store on Thursday morning, it was gone, he said. 

"Do I know who took it? No idea," Barufkin said. 

But he said he suspects the theft was the handywork of some older adolescents, as the rhino weighed 125 to 150 pounds and would have "had to be put in a car and driven away."

He added that this is a little extreme for a prank, as the inflatable item cost nearly $2,000. Since he doesn't know if the insurance company will cover the cost of the stolen item—which was rented—the store is offering a reward for its safe return.

"We're offering a $500 reward for its return," Barufkin said. 

So far, the store has received several phone calls and a few facebook messages, but none of the tips have resulted in the rhino's recovery.

"I was young once, but this is not like taking a flamingo off a lawn," he said. "It's huge and expensive and it was trying to help create business for a business." 

Barufkin said that he hopes that it is returned, but he isn't too hopeful.

"Do I think we're going to get it back? I don't think so," he said. "I don't have the confidence in people."

Have you seen the rhino? Tell us in the comments.