The whereabouts of a stolen moonwalk remain unknown as the Starkville Police Department continues its investigation. A police detective said the department will continue to look into the matter until the issue reaches a resolution.
Justin Sutton, a Mississippi State University student, rented the “Clown-A-Round” moonwalk Friday afternoon from Handyman Rental and Party Place on U.S. Highway 82. Sutton said he rented the device as the main attraction for his girlfriend’s birthday party that night at her house on 401 S. Montgomery.
“At about 1:30 or 2 (a.m.), we went to turn off the (blower) and let it start deflating,” Sutton said. “That way, we could get out there and get it packed up so we could get back to the (MSU-Alabama) football game. The next morning, we go to roll it up, and it’s not there.”
Sutton called the police Saturday morning when he saw the moonwalk was missing. The device comes with a blower, stakes, a base and a bag in which to store it, but of those, only the bag was stolen. It has been valued at $4,610.12 with all of the accessories.
The moonwalk reaches 17 feet vertically, and the surface covers a 15-by-15-foot area. Even deflated, it weighs at least 220 pounds.
“It would take more than one person to get it,” said Louise Thompson, the bookkeeper at Handyman.
Thompson has been assuming the duties of store manager George Hartness since Friday when he went to the hospital for surgery. She also said that the store takes no responsibility for rented moonwalks with the exception of normal wear and tear, leaving Sutton with complete liability.
Because the value of the moonwalk exceeds $500, the person who stole the bag could be charged with grand larceny, which could carry a penalty of 10 years in jail, a $10,000 fine or both. Sutton, however, said he does not intend to press charges.
“If it’s a joke, I don’t want to see anybody get in trouble,” Sutton said. “Whoever did it can just put it back in the yard or find a way to get in touch with me.”
Sutton, who said there might be a reward for anyone who helps solve the case, can be reached at 325-6281.