Gorilla owner to UT prez: Don't punish pranksters

TAMPA -- The automated ape at the center of the great gorilla heist is back in business this morning, waving at drivers on Kennedy Boulevard from his home outside State Vacuum.

The gorilla wears a new Arizona Cardinals T-shirt outside State Vacuum on Kennedy Boulevard this morning after it made its return yesterday. [MARTHA RIAL | Times]

"He's back, he's happy, he's got a smile on his face," said business owner David Epstein about Pickemup, the 60-pound great ape. "He looks like it was Wednesday all over again."

Meanwhile, Epstein has asked University of Tampa officials not to discipline the two students who took the gorilla. He already declined to press criminal charges.

It took Epstein, his daughter and a police officer's combined strength to shove the unwieldy simian into the back of Epstein's SUV for Pickemup's return ride. Getting the gorilla back into his place outside the business was a little easier -- Pickemup is brought in nightly and, in the case of rain like this morning, placed underneath an old gas station canopy.

Epstein wrote a letter to university president Ron Vaughn suggesting that he go easy on the students.

"They did something stupid. We've all done something stupid," he said. "Just not all of us have gotten caught."

With the incident behind them, Epstein said he and the ape can look forward to this weekend's Super Bowl and a change of dress next week in time for Gasparilla. His gorillas usually don beads and pirate attire for the festivities.

"When you have a wild animal that's used to being outside and you coop them up, it's tough on their psyche," he said. But fear not, he added -- the gorilla's going to be okay. "He's just enjoying the fresh air now."

Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writer

Two female freshmen from the University of Tampa stole a beloved stuffed gorilla from State Vacuum in Tampa. The owner, David Epstein, shown at right, did not press charges against the young women. [ATOYIA DEANS | Times]

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Comments

[Joey]

glad the gorilla is home, and what a nice guy, just like his dad. also,who would have thought the Amish made gorillas

[eye in the sky]

David Epstein is a class act and one of Tampa's great citizens. Thanks for sharing the power of forgiveness with our community. What a great example and lesson to teach our kids.

[ohmygoditsthatguy]

i have to admit when i first read about this yesterday i was angry and wanted to hang em high...lol But yeah i guess it is best to forgive in some cases. I am sure they fully regret it now.

[J Fla]

So forgive and forget is what you want David epsein. Send the message it is alright to steal to these spoiled brats. If the university does not hand out some sort of punishment shame on the president. A thief is a thief and punishment is also equal. So if they come in and rob you that is ok also. Please let one go send a message it is ok to do what ever.No wonder the youth of today show no respect to the law or adults.