Grand Theft Scarecrow: Popular Grafton Common decor goes missing

Either someone stole several scarecrows from Grafton Common, or they walked away by themselves.

You decide which is the scarier option.

Recreation Director Jennifer Anderson confirmed that JOJO Scarewa, Pat the Patriot, Mummy Ma’ma, and several of the other stuffed shirts have gone missing from the perimeter of Grafton Common, most overnight Wednesday.

“We would like to see them returned, no questions asked,” Anderson said.

While Grafton Police have been informed of the scarecrow-napping, resident Alyson Murray-Casella is also on the case. The independent sleuth heard a friend’s scarecrow had been snatched and others were missing as well. When she dropped by the Common herself to check on her children’s creation, Mummy Ma’ma, she took inventory by comparing the remaining scarecrows to the listing on Grafton Recreation’s Facebook page, where they were posted for its scarecrow contest (the gallery below shows the missing).

All told, 10 scarecrows, created by families last weekend as part of Grafton Recreation’s annual Scarecrow Contest, had gone missing (or walked away — that hasn’t been ruled out yet. Who knows what restless spirits walk the Common after dark?).

“I have gotten 3 back,” Murray-Casella said. “They were all on yards of (people) that had no idea how they got there. I have picked up and returned JOJO and Pat The Patriot.

“Mummy Ma’ma was also found (ours) but was destroyed so I didn’t put it back up,” she added. “I’ll bring her home and I’ll let the kids put her back together.”

Multiple Grafton residents expressed disappointment that someone would mess with the scarecrows, which they enjoy visiting with their children and look forward to seeing every fall. While they acknowledged it was probably a prank, they did not consider it a good one.

“Please check your security cameras,” Murray-Casella said. “I know this was probably a prank, but not a funny one. A LOT of kids worked hard on these scarecrows and many in the community enjoyed looking at them. This was a fun and safe way for many to still enjoy some Halloween festivities. Whoever did this — you stink!”

Anderson asks that anyone who spots one of the missing scarecrows contact the Grafton Recreation Department.

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