Stolen giant pumpkin returned with apology from thief

YORK, Pa., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania mother said her 9-year-old son's giant pumpkin was returned to the family's porch with a note of apology from the thief.

Amy Newcomer of York said her family arrived home Sunday to find the pumpkin belonging to her 9-year-old son, Jaiden, had been returned several days after being taken from the same spot, The York Dispatch reported Monday.

Jaiden, who won the pumpkin by correctly guessing its weight at Cape Horn Beverage in Windsor Township, verified the pumpkin was the same one that had been stolen by examining its distinctive markings.

"He's very excited," Newcomer said of her son. "He's beside himself."

The returned pumpkin had a note attached.

"I'm really sorry about taking your pumpkin, it was wrong of me, you earned the pumpkin, I didn't think my actions through nor realize who they were affecting. Sincerest apologies," the note read.

Newcomer said Jaiden had wanted to use the pumpkins he received for free after word of the theft got out to "make pumpkin pies for people who can't afford it," but the family determined the pumpkins were not the correct type for cooking. She said she and Jaiden will instead purchase pumpkin pies and donate them to charity.