This was an email to neighbors from Tom Poor, dated 5/11/2004:

Neighbors: Several days ago, I was working in Shipyard Park, clearing away brush and raking. I left for dinner @ 5:30, leaving the rake and chainsaw, along with fuel, oil, etc., under a tree near the cookout area.  When I returned an hour later, the chainsaw was gone.  Everything else remained. 

I reported the theft to the police who took the necessary information and said if the saw ever turned up, the holder would be charged with "receiving stolen property" which is a felony for items valued at more then $250. 

In purchasing a new chainsaw the next morning at Dick's Chainsaw, he said he was not surprised. He's had people come in who've said they've left their lawn mowers out on their own lawns to stop for lunch, only to find them gone when they've returned. Further, a contractor bought two new chainsaws not long ago, put them in the back of his pickup and stopped at Dunkin' Donuts next door. When he came out, the chainsaws were gone. 

All of this is to pass along an alert to take care when leaving personal items exposed or garage doors open when you're not home. And hopefully we all can keep an eye out for any suspicious persona in our neighborhood and immediately call the police. It's too bad our world today has come to this. 

Tom