Brentwood dinosaur statue returned with apology note after theft captured on camera
Sinclair Dinosaur in Brentwood California (Courtesy Brian McCullough)Brentwood, California (Times Media Service) – Claire, a beloved 4-foot fiberglass dinosaur mascot from Brentwood’s Sinclair station, was stolen Sept. 27 and returned Oct. 6 with a handwritten apology note; the LAPD is investigating while the community reacts, and neighbors posted tributes.
Key takeaways
- Claire is a roughly 4-foot, ~50-pound fiberglass dinosaur that stood outside the Sinclair gas station on San Vicente Boulevard for about seven years.
- Theft was caught on surveillance video showing a man using power tools to remove Claire from her pedestal and load her into a pickup truck on Sept. 27.
- Return occurred Oct. 6 — Claire was left wrapped in a blanket with a handwritten note: “I’m sorry I took the dinosaur, please don’t press charges”.
- Investigation by the LAPD remains open; no arrests or public identifications have been announced, and the station owner has not publicly declared whether charges will be pressed.
The theft caught on camera
Surveillance footage from Sept. 27 shows the sequence that alarmed Brentwood residents and gas station staff. The video, shared with local outlets, depicts an individual arriving in a pickup truck, approaching the dinosaur, and using what appear to be power tools to detach Claire from her display pedestal. After removing the statue, the person places it in the truck bed and leaves the scene.
Owners and witnesses told reporters the theft was quick and methodical. The station’s security camera captured enough detail for investigators to confirm the sequence of events. The use of tools and a vehicle point to premeditation rather than an impulsive act, according to local observers and the footage reviewed by news outlets.
Claire — a neighborhood fixture
Claire greeted customers and passersby at the Sinclair station on San Vicente Boulevard for roughly seven years. The statue — a 4-foot fiberglass dinosaur weighing about 50 pounds — had become a small but beloved part of the neighborhood landscape.
In the days after the theft, people stopped at the gas station to leave flowers and take photos of the empty pedestal. Social media posts amplified the story and pushed it into broader local conversations, highlighting how everyday objects gain sentimental value when they become familiar parts of community life.
The return and the apology note
On the morning of Oct. 6, Claire was returned to the gas station premises. She was placed near the original spot, wrapped in a blanket, and had a handwritten note attached that read:
“I’m sorry I took the dinosaur, please don’t press charges”
The station owner confirmed the statue’s return and the presence of the note when contacted by reporters. The owner did not announce any decision about pressing charges, and the LAPD said the investigation would continue.
Investigation: questions that remain
The case raises several unanswered questions:
- Who took Claire and why? Motive is unclear — possibilities include prank, resale attempt, vandalism, or personal reasons.
- How were tools obtained and used? The footage suggests tools capable of removing bolted fixtures were used; investigators will consider whether equipment indicates preplanning.
- Why return it with a note? The apology could indicate remorse or a tactical move to avoid prosecution after media attention; the note reads as an attempt to dissuade charges.
- What will authorities do next? LAPD investigators will review surveillance, canvass for witnesses, and follow leads; whether the owner presses charges could affect prosecution.
Local reaction and civic implications
Relief and closure were common reactions when Claire returned. The apology note tempered anger and prompted conversations about safety, neighborhood stewardship, and how communities respond when familiar public objects are threatened.
Business owners noted that visible, low-cost fixtures like Claire help create a welcoming commercial corridor. The episode prompted renewed discussion about surveillance coverage, lighting, and anchoring of displays — practical steps small-business owners can take to deter theft and vandalism.
Practical takeaways for local businesses and community groups include:
- Review and upgrade anchoring for outdoor displays.
- Ensure surveillance cameras capture wide angles and key details like license plates.
- Coordinate with neighboring businesses on lighting and shared camera coverage.
- Preserve evidence — keep video files and timestamped images, and report incidents promptly to the LAPD.
Sources and reporting
This article is based on reporting by local news outlets and publicly shared video footage. Key sources include:
- ABC7 — Video shows man stealing beloved Brentwood Sinclair gas station dinosaur
- ABC7 — Dinosaur statue stolen from Brentwood gas station returned with note saying ‘please don’t press charges’
- LAist — Gas station dinosaur statue in Brentwood returned
- Video — Surveillance footage of the theft
- Video — Coverage of the statue’s return (clip 1)
- Video — Coverage of the statue’s return (clip 2)
- Video — Community reaction and footage near the pedestal
Investigators continue to ask anyone with information to contact the LAPD. For now, Claire is back where she belongs; the apology note remains attached, and neighbors are once again posing for photos with the familiar fiberglass dinosaur on San Vicente Boulevard.
