Neighbors in Linden Hills are mourning after a giant pumpkin was stolen from the family’s garden

By Frankie McLister of WCCO

LINDEN HILLS, Minn. – Neighborhoods around are decorated for Halloween, but for one Linden Hills family, their inflated pumpkin was more than just decoration.

It brought so much joy until it was stolen.

“We opened the curtains and the kids were screaming, ‘the pumpkin is gone! Our huge pumpkin is gone.’ And we were extremely disappointed,” says Angelaa Hoft, owner of the giant pumpkin.

Hoft said she was so upset that she posted on the neighborhood Facebook group.

However, she wasn’t the only one upset about the pumpkin being gone. Neighbors were also angry.

“It’s such an innocent, sweet holiday and it’s just sad to see someone come into your front yard and bring something special that’s just fun for your kids,” said Jeannie Radatz, who lives nearby.

Neighbors say they are leaning on each other to stay alert in the community.

“People were just slowing down with their kids, and I was always getting texts from people in the neighborhood saying ‘we love your pumpkin,’” Hoft said.