Residents Cry Fowl As Smithfield Bird Bath Mystery Deepens

Another One Flies The Coop

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The case of West Smithfield’s disappearing bird baths continues to ruffle feathers.

A third resident has now reported a concrete bird bath stolen from their yard, adding another feather to one of Smithfield’s more unusual crime stories of the summer.

The latest report came Aug. 6, after a Shady Lane Drive resident saw a Johnston County Report article about two bird baths stolen from nearby homes on Pace and Britt streets.

After reading the story, the resident contacted Smithfield Police and reported their bird bath had also flown the coop.

The resident told police the concrete bird bath disappeared sometime between June 18 and June 19. The bird bath was valued at approximately $250.

The latest report raises an obvious question: Is there a bird bath bandit on the loose in Smithfield, or are the three unusual thefts simply a coincidence?

On July 14, an 81-year-old Pace Street resident reported a concrete bird bath and pedestal had been removed from the yard.

Later that same day, a 60-year-old resident on nearby Britt Street reported another concrete bird bath missing. Two one-gallon gasoline cans were also stolen.

Concrete bird baths aren’t exactly known for being light as a feather. Their weight and awkward size would make them difficult to carry any significant distance, suggesting whoever took them may have had a vehicle nearby.

Police have not said the three thefts are connected, and no suspect has been identified.

So far, no one has chirped up with information identifying the culprit, and investigators haven’t found anyone willing to sing.

For now, the bird bath bandit — if there is one — remains free as a bird.

Until the cases are solved, Smithfield residents might want to keep an eagle eye on their lawn ornaments.

Anyone with information about the thefts is encouraged to contact the Smithfield Police Department.