Stolen leprechaun back where it belongs

Simon, the beloved concrete leprechaun who was stolen earlier this month, is now back in the lawn where he belongs.

"It has a lot of sentimental value to us," said Foothills resident Charles Ellsworth. "We are very pleased to have him back because he is like a part of our family."

Ellsworth said he got the concrete leprechaun, which had sat on a gate post in his driveway for the past 15 years, back Monday night after being told where it was.

He said a couple who live in the Vista Del Sol subdivision spotted the concrete leprechaun sitting in a lawn of a home while out on their walk that night and eventually contacted him.

"They went back later after checking the description I gave in my 'Letter to the Editor' that was printed in the paper and realized it was him," Ellsworth said.

The Vista Del Sol subdivision, Ellsworth said, is no more than two to three miles from where he lives, which is the 11400 block of 37th Street.

The description Ellsworth included in his letter described Simon as being about 4 feet tall in a sitting position with a white beard, gray flowing pointed cap, bright red jacket, blue trousers and red boots.

After being told where his beloved concrete leprechaun was, Ellsworth said he went to the house to make sure it was actually the one he was missing and to inform the people who lived there that he wanted it back.

"They told me that they didn't know how it had gotten in their lawn," Ellsworth said.

Ellsworth said he then returned to his home and notified the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, which sent deputies to retrieve it.

"I think it was very nice of them," Ellsworth said of the deputies who returned his concrete leprechaun. "I feel they went out of their way to do me a great favor, and I really appreciate it."

Deputies also cautioned Ellsworth about going to the residence where his concrete leprechaun was found instead of notifying them first.

Ellsworth said he reported Simon missing the evening of Nov. 3. In  addition to being one-of-a-kind the concrete leprechaun also served as a landmark and guide for people looking for their home.

Ellsworth said they wanted Simon back because a dear departed relative brought him all the way from North Carolina as a gift to them.

Now back on the gate post where he belongs, Ellsworth said he isn't worried about it being taken again anytime soon.

"It sat there for 15 years before someone grabbed it," Ellsworth said. "Maybe it will be good for another 15 years."

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.