Man Charged in Theft of Autistic Girl’s Favorite Toy

A 23-year-old man has been charged with theft for allegedly stealing a lawn ornament belonging to a 7-year-old Newark girl with autism. 

The item — a rainbow-colored whirligig featuring a pig riding a bicycle — was the girl’s prized possession, police said. It was stolen May 28.

“The victim child was heartbroken when she discovered that the lawn ornament had been stolen from her front yard,” Newark police said in a statement.

After a two month long investigation, authorities identified Charles “Chucky” Boukis as the suspect.

Boukis admitted to stealing the whirligig, police said.

Though the precious ornament was not found, a citizen donated an exact replica of the toy after learning about the theft.

The girl “was thrilled to see her favorite pig once again pedaling his bicycle across her lawn,” police said.