Amid the search for an ornate display sign stolen from Applegate Zoo, two members of the Merced City Council say they’re offering a cash reward for its return.

Victor A. Patton

The Merced FOCUS

At the conclusion of Monday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Mike Harris said he’s offering $250 for the return of the sign. Councilmember Sarah Boyle followed up by saying she would match that amount, meaning the total reward would be $500.

“We need to find that sign. I know it’s out there,” Boyle said, after Harris made his offer.

Those offers came after city staff and local leaders expressed sheer disappointment at Monday’s meeting about the theft of the sign.

Christopher Jensen, director of Merced parks and community services, explained the recently-installed sign was emblematic of exciting changes coming to fruition at Applegate Zoo.

Merced leaders recently approved $1.8 million in pandemic recovery funds for key upgrades at the zoo, located on the west side of the park, just off Bear Creek near 25th and R streets.

Those improvements are part of a plan to redefine the zoo as a regional animal rescue focused on educating the public about wildlife found in the Merced County area.

In that effort, the city had adopted a logo to showcase some of the animals that reside here. The artwork is in the shape of a bear, with a painting of a buck standing in a forest, while a bird of prey flies overhead.

The sign with the new logo was recently placed on the zoo building, on the R Street side. But sometime during the early morning hours of February 16, the sign vanished.

Jensen said although the sign’s theft is upsetting, in the aftermath there has been an outpouring of community support.

“In less than 48 hours, we’ve had an ongoing slew of offers to volunteer at the zoo, to attend the zoo, to show us support, and we are in discussions with several community members now to see what next steps we can do to make sure we get our sign back, in one shape, form or another,” Jensen said.

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Time to ‘Take a Stand’

City officials emphasized it’s important to point out that councilmembers Harris and Boyle are offering their rewards as individuals.

Even Harris himself on the dais said the money “is coming out of me, not anything official.”

Mayor Matthew Serratto looked at City Attorney Craig Cornwell, and asked whether the reward was legal. Cornwell smiled, but didn’t offer any resistance to Harris’ offer.

City spokesperson Jennifer Flachman also clarified the nature of the reward in a statement to The Merced FOCUS.

“The outpouring of support highlights the strengths and generosity of our community. The City is appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community following the theft of the Zoo sign,” Flachman said.

“The rewards offered by Councilmembers Boyle and Harris are private rewards for the recovery of the sign. In addition, several community members have stepped up and expressed interest in supporting the replacement of the sign if necessary. At this time, our focus remains on recovering the original sign, and we are grateful for the community’s continued interest and support in that effort.”

Councilmember Darin DuPont also expressed his frustration over theft of the sign, particularly given the time and effort city staff and residents have put into elevating the park and zoo.

“We really as a city need to start changing the culture of who we are. I mean that should not be acceptable to everyone, including the person that stole the sign,” DuPont said.

“We have to change this narrative of this ‘poor old Merced.’ No, we deserve these things. And when they are taken from us, it’s an opportunity for us to stand up and say we still appreciate the work that (city) staff is doing, appreciate the zoo, and we continue to push forward.”

Merced police are asking anyone with information about the sign’s whereabouts or the circumstances behind its disappearance to call (209) 385-6905. Police are also asking anyone with security camera footage of the theft to step forward.

It’s not the first significant theft to happen in Merced’s Applegate Park area. In December, a thief stole a rocket car from an amusement ride at Kiddieland. The item was later returned by a Good Samaritan.

Three years ago a metal plaque was stolen from the statue in the park honoring Steven Stayner and Timothy White. That plaque has never been recovered.

About the Author

Victor Patton is editor-in-chief of The Merced FOCUS.