GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – A man attempted to steal a giant $2,000 goose statue outside a Waffle House in Berkeley County named Waffles.

The Goose Creek Police Department stated it was the first instance of an attempted theft of one of the statues. Waffles is part of a group of 41 geese, each placed in front of different businesses or organizations around the city. He was adopted by Waffle House through the “Adopt-A-Goose program” facilitated by the cultural arts and recreation commission.

According to an incident report obtained by News 2, a former employee and a frequent customer hatched a plan to steal Waffles.

“We were notified about two hours before the goose-napping. We received information that it might happen,” LJ Roscoe, chief of the Goose Creek Police Department, explained. “One of the fired employees felt that, since she had contributed to the goose, she should be allowed to take it. Unfortunately, she found someone else to help her, told him to retrieve the goose, and he was subsequently arrested.”

Paul Carleton reportedly reversed his car to Waffles’ location in front of Waffle House, picked up the statue, and placed it in his trunk. A manager called the police as the event was occurring, and they managed to prevent his escape.

Waffle House patrons expressed their surprise to News 2, shocked that someone would try to steal Waffles. Roscoe mentioned that Waffles is particularly favored among the birds because of his decoration.

“We spend every day there. This is our Waffle House. I can’t believe, yes, I can, with the way the world is changing, that someone would steal the goose. That’s just absurd,” James Graham, a resident of Goose Creek, remarked. 

The chief said she has one message for anybody who tries to steal another goose.

“If anybody messes with our geese. They’re going to flock around and find out,” Roscoe said.

Police said Carleton is in custody with a charge of larceny. He was also served a trespass notice at the scene.

Waffles is now safely bolted back into the concrete block he sits on.