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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingA Salt Lake man recently had a sentimental item stolen right out of his front yard. It was a totem pole his grandfather owned.
The totem pole used to greet anyone who passed by Justin Yarmark's front yard. He says friends and neighbors would tell him how great it looked; it was definitely noticeable. But now the prominent statue is gone.
Justin Yarmark lives near 11th East and 11th South in Salt Lake. He says every once in a while, someone steals mail or a bike from the area. But last month, someone stole something more unusual right out of his front yard -- a large totem pole.
Justin Yarmark: "Most people associate good luck and good fortune with totem poles, and we figured there'd be some karmic protection for it."
Justin had even nailed the totem pole into a wooden base on top of a cement block. But it apparently wasn't enough to keep the thieves away.
Justin Yarmark: "One evening, we had seen it when we went to bed or when we pulled into the house, and then when we woke up in the morning, it was gone."
The wooden pole wasn't just a fun yard decoration; it had belonged to Justin's grandfather, Harold, who bought it in Alaska. After Harold passed away, Justin wanted something to commemorate his grandpa..
Justin Yarmark: "It has some sentimental value, obviously, since it was my grandfather's. It was our little shrine to him."
At first Justin thought maybe someone had moved the pole as a prank and it would reappear soon. But it's been more than a month and it still hasn't turned up.
Justin Yarmark: "Maybe in some pawn shop there's a totem pole hanging around."
Whoever took it, Justin says he can't imagine they're having very good luck with it. But he hopes he will be lucky enough to find his treasured possession again.
Justin Yarmark: "If anyone sees it out there, it's ours. It's five and a half feet, it's got an eagle on the top, and big wings, so keep your eyes peeled."
Justin says the totem pole was worth about $2,000, but it was the memories of the pole that meant the most; that's something he can't replace.
