Have You Seen Lenny The Lion?

Missing: One smiling yellow lion. Dressed for safari adventures. Whereabouts unknown.

His name is Lenny and he's been the mascot for St. Armands' Go Touch Down Inc., a travel and tour company that specializes in South African adventures.

But it doesn't appear Lenny went willingly on his safari.

Sarasota Police Department said Thurday that somebody stole Lenny, who is valued at $6,000. 

It appears somebody stole the costume at the store, 443 John Ringling Blvd., sometime between midnight and 8 a.m. on Thursday.

Capt. Paul Sutton told The Herald-Tribune he hopes the theft was a joke:

Because of the value of the costume, the theft is a felony punishable by more than a year in prison. Police spokesman Capt. Paul Sutton said he is hoping that the thieves will just return the costume when they learn of its value.

“It could be a prank that went wrong and they just don't have a clue that it's worth $6,000,” Sutton said.

Anyone with information with the whereabouts of Lenny is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department at 941-954-7025.