AUBURN - Someone helped himself or herself to a symbol of hospitality in city hall.

The Auburn Police Department is investigating the theft of two relics from the historic building during the past two months; a brass pineapple from the banister in the foyer and a giant teddy bear.

A maintenance worker reported the hand-carved pineapple missing from the handrail. It was taken between Nov. 13 and Nov. 15.

The building's foyer contains several depictions of the fruit because it signifies ‘welcome.' Now, a metal screw sticks up through the banister, wrapped with masking tape.

The second object disappeared more than a week ago.

Accounting clerk Donna Lumb filed a report Dec. 28 when she discovered a oversized teddy bear was missing.

At the time, the bear was wearing Lumb's $60 Santa Claus suit she hoped to keep in her family. She would dress the bear in different clothes according to holidays. Lumb inherited the job of dressing the bear, and would tie him to the chair to keep him upright. The person even took the felt tether, Lumb said.

“This isn't a casual thing, someone decided to do this,” Lumb said, adding the bear had a hefty 25 pounds of stuffing.

Deputy Chief Thomas Murphy said it is highly probable the tan, furry toy was taken after the Auburn City Council's Dec. 27 meeting.

“I don't think it would be that easy to take,” Murphy said.

Police are reviewing the cameras outside city hall to see if anyone left with large packages.

Lumb discovered the stuffed animal missing Dec. 28. People saw the bear the day before in its chair in the hallway across from the treasurer's office.

“He was kind of an icon, not to be dramatic. Kids used to go down and see Bear,” she said. “We'll just be happy to have him back.”

Lumb pleaded with the person who took the bear to return him, even if they just threw him through the door.

“When we walked in, we all had our hands on our cheeks, asking 'Where did he go,'” she said. “He really will be missed.”

Murphy declined to say whether he believed it was one person who took both items. He didn't venture a guess as to the motive for the theft.

“They are both obviously originals. They are objects out of the norm,” he said.

If caught, the thief would be charged with petit larceny.

“It doesn't fit the description of kidnapping,” Murphy added.

The taking of decades-old fixtures has created an uneasy atmosphere for the employees at city hall, which Lumb called a second home.

“Pay attention to anyone wandering in the hall who doesn't appear to have legitimate business there,” Murphy advised.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net