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Holy Smoke Coffee statue stolen

Reward offered for the return of Chief Hava-java-Joe
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Al Nemeth stands with Cowboy Bob, left, and Chief Hava-java-Joe, who was stolen from his property this week. File photo

Holy Smoke Coffee owner Al Nemeth said “it’s a sad, sad day,” – and it’s not because he’s retiring his 15-year-old coffee business.

Nemeth approached Peace Arch News Wednesday to say his statue ‘Chief Hava-java-Joe,’ had been stolen from his teepee storefront located near Timberland Motel & Campground (3418 King George Blvd.).

PAN interviewed Nemeth last week about his plan to retire his business June 9. During that interview, he said he was surprised someone hadn’t already stolen the 100-pound statue.

“Yes, I did say that, that day. And every day this week, I took notice. Sure enough… All I could say is son of a ….”

He noticed that the statue was gone when he arrived to his shop at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday morning. He said the chain and lock securing the statue had been cut.

“It’s a personal thing,” he said, explaining that the statue doesn’t have much monetary value.

“I got a feeling it might be a school prank or something like that,” he said.

Nemeth said he filed a police report, and is offering a reward – five or 10 pound bag of coffee – for information that would lead to the recovery of Chief Hava-java-Joe.

Anyone with information can call the Timberland RV park at 604-531-1033.



About the Author: Aaron Hinks

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