Pizzeria's stolen R2-D2 painting returned with note from 'Darth Vader'

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- An Ohio pizzeria said a stolen painting of Star Wars droid R2-D2 was returned by a helmeted agent of the Sith along with a note from Darth Vader.

Mikey's Late Night Slice launched a social media campaign a couple of weeks ago after the "painted portrait of a very dapper R2-D2" was stolen from the chain's downtown Columbus location.

The "#‎SAVELNSR2D2‬" campaign, as well as coverage by the local media, apparently did the trick, as a mystery storm trooper disguised by a motorcycle helmet dropped the painting off Friday afternoon.

The employee working the counter at the time of the painting's return said he was concerned the mystery figure could be intending to rob the pizzeria.

"I walked up, started going toward the alarm and stuff and by that time he had come in, set it on the thing and then was like already walking out," the employee told WSYX-TV.

"We didn't know, I mean he didn't take his mask off so we weren't sure what was going on. I think sometimes you get a little nervous in those situations," restaurant Manager Nicole Woodhouse said.

The painting, which depicts the droid dressed in Jedi robes, was accompanied by a note signed by Star Wars villain Darth Vader.

"Upon appraisal on the pizza shop black market I've discerned this is close to worthless. I've decided to return it out of the goodness of my heart," the note reads.

Woodhouse said the store plans to keep the note as a memento.

"I think we're going to frame the note too right next to it -- it'll make for a fun story," Woodhouse said.

The restaurant said it does not plan to seek charges since the painting was returned.