BURLINGTON POST (Ontario) 15 January 06 Stolen gecko tugs at public's heartstrings (Tim Whitnell)
Quin is still missing but the high-profile theft of the pet gecko has garnered widespread media attention and prompted an outpouring of offers from the public.
The two-year-old leopard gecko, a small lizard-like creature, was among many items stolen from the Woodview Children's Centre in Aldershot sometime last weekend.
The gecko and his aquarium belong to a learning centre class of eight autistic kids aged 8-14.
The tiny yellow, black and white lizard with the white underbelly is the prized possession of the students who paid about $250 a few years ago for Quin and related food and equipment.
Also stolen from the building were a laptop computer, a portable stereo and about 50 new toys that had been donated to the centre's kids at Christmas.
Halton police are investigating.
The executive director of Woodview said word has spread fast about Quin's disappearance.
"It has been incredible. The phone has been ringing non-stop. We have had over a dozen telephone calls from people offering replacement geckos and even money," said Garry Stuart.
"We're not going to rush into a replacement. The kids need time to take it all in," he said, adding the hope is that Quin will be returned.
Some of the special needs children cried when told Tuesday of their pet's theft. In response, they produced a wanted poster written in crayon that says, 'Wanted. Have you seen Quin? Lepord Gekco.'
In the meantime, a 13-year-old Woodview student named Zander surprised his heartbroken classmates by bringing his pet gecko, Dewberry, into the class Thursday as a temporary replacement.
Woodview Learning Centre is a not-for-profit school for children with autism.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Burlington detectives at 905-634-1831, ext. 2316, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Stolen gecko tugs at public's heartstrings