FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2001, 1:15 a.m. Flamingos Stolen from Flamingo Grove BARNES PLACE (ATLANTA, GA) -- Two flamingos were stolen from Flamingo Grove this past weekend, and another was accosted in an unknown incident. Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State noticed the missing Flamingos while replacing a landscape light which had failed in the Flamingo Grove. Upon closer investigation, he discovered foul play was a factor in the landscape lighting failure. While examining the burned-out bulb, he discovered a fallen, wounded flamingo among the shrubs. The wounded flamingo had a broken "blip". A "blip" is the plastic clip that holds the flamingo to its wire legs. Upon discovering the broken Blip, State's concern rose; the Flamingos are isolated from everyday foot traffic. It's hard for a lawn flamingo to break a blip just looking pretty. State began to count - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen. Only fourteen flamingos. There were sixteen on Friday. After the breach in security just two weeks ago, State immediately increased the security level at Barnes Place to DEFCON (Defense Readiness Condition) THREE and ordered an immediate lock down. Simultaneously, he called 911 to file a report of the missing flamingos with the Atlanta Police Department. "Police patrols are dispatched based on crime statistics. If we don't report crimes, however minor," said State, "Then we're contributing to the problem." State is a graduate of the Citizen's Police Academy, and he knows. He knows. A police report has been filed, indicated damages totalling $45. Beginning on Monday, State will begin engraving the remainder of Flamingo Grove with a Police Engraver provided by the Atlanta Police Department. State also discovered a half-consumed bottle of Evian water a week ago Saturday on the north side of the house, located between Barnes Place and the neighboring structure. It was found near the window that was believed to have been violated, and speculation is that it belonged to the potential intruder. It is not known if the Flamingo Abduction is related to the attempted break-in. This is not the first time Flamingos have been stolen from a yard in the Home Park community. Just a year-and-half ago, two flamingos were stolen from a front yard just three streets west. Those flamingos have never been recovered. "It's frightening," said State. "Statistically, there are more pink flamingos missing across the country--they vanish--than any other type of flamingo." Anyone with information regarding the missing flamingos should call the Atlanta Police Department at 404-854-3434 and reference Case ID Number 011401581. --END--