RICHMOND, VA. (WWBT/Gray News) – A Virginia farm owner says she never thought she’d see her stolen Halloween gear again, but that’s exactly what happened.
Tammy Clarke said thousands of dollars worth of pumpkins and decorations were stolen from the farm in the middle of the night on Oct. 19.
It was the second year in a row that Levi’s Pumpkins farm on Qualla Road in Chesterfield was targeted.
This time, thieves made off with metal pumpkins, a homemade scarecrow, decorative lawn flags and a wooden pumpkin pile decoration with sentimental value that was hand-painted by Levi’s grandmother.
It was a devastating blow to Clarke, who lost her 41-year-old son Levi to COVID-19-related complications several years ago.
Some of the stolen items were special to him.
“My head was just spinning. I couldn’t believe it,” said Clarke.
The farm owner said things changed for the better when two men recently made a surprise visit to the family farm.
“Two gentlemen were walking this way and asked if they could speak to the owner,” she said. “And me and my husband came out and introduced ourselves and said they wanted to apologize for taking our stuff. And that we would please forgive them for the foolish thing they had done.’
Clarke said four young men came to her home and returned every item they took. They personally unloaded everything into the truck and helped put everything back in its right place.
“While they were unloading the truck, I just sat down and cried,” Clarke said. “I just said, ‘Thank God for returning this stuff to us, and please make this a good lesson for these young men.’”
Clarke said they have also received a lot of support from the public since the items were stolen, with tons of pumpkins being purchased.
Levi’s Pumpkins started the season with thousands of pumpkins and only 60 were left on Monday.
“We hope they find a home too, but you know what, this is a good way to end our pumpkin season,” Clarke said.
She said neighborhood children have also sent messages of support to the family.
“A brother and sister wrote, ‘We are so sorry for the people who came to your home and did bad things. We love this pumpkin patch,” Clarke said. “Complete strangers gave us gifts. They gave away some stolen garden flags. And I was just so shocked.”
Clarke said two elderly gentlemen had also made a monetary donation to replace the decorations they had lost.
“And then we got a gift basket. That was just such a surprise, just filled with little treats,” she said. “It just makes you happy that there are really caring, concerned people out there.”
The Clarke family said they are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community in their time of need.
The farm owner said the family forgives the men who said they stole their belongings and will not press charges.
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