Chop Chop found on Daytona Beach street; remains in Sheriff's custody
June 10, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. â Chop Chop, the mascot of the Daytona Beach Hawgs of the National Indoor Football League, remained in protective custody Friday after he was found by a good Samaritan along side a city street, the Volusia County Sheriff's Department said.
The, not-even a year old Chop Chop, is awaiting the Hawgs to finish the season on the road at the Fayetteville (N.C.) Guard on Saturday and at the Rome (Ga.) Renegades on Saturday, June 25.
After that, chances of Chop Chop's appearance in a Hawgs' home playoff game are unusually high because the team leads the NIFL's Atlantic Division South. The Hawgs have a reservation confirmation from the 6,000-seat Ocean Center for Thursday, July 7; Sunday, July 17; and Saturday, July 23, as possible playoff dates.
A Sheriff's spokesperson said Chop Chop was resting comfortable and was being watched round the clock in a special protective custody property room.
"I would say he's in excellent shape and we are pleased to know that someone out there cared enough to bring him into the Sheriff's office," said newly-named Hawgs' general manager Hector Gonzalez. "We also appreciate the hard work the deputies are doing in investigating this incident. We want the culprits captured because we will consider prosecution to any who messes with Chop Chop."
Chop Chop is the cousin of the Kissimmee Kreatures' Kritter and Thor of the Lakeland ThunderBolts teams in the NIFL. He made his first appearance on March 24 at the Ocean Center when Daytona Beach opened the NIFL season.
Detectives from the Sheriff's office were following up several leads as to who picked up Chop Chop from the Ocean Center. Officials at the arena were not able to confirm who walked out with the friendly boar. Surveillance cameras were unable to detect Chop's disappearance.
The Sheriff's office said they were working with a few leads, but hoped that someone would step forward and give them more information.
Chop Chop was found at 780 Bellevue Avenue around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday. The time is past the boar's curfew, in fact, Hawg officials were surprised why he was out so late and left at the location in his traveling gear.
"Everything was intact," said Gonzalez who said Chop Chop will stay in custody for at least another day. "He's well protected. We just don't want this to happen again.
"I'm sure he did not do this on his own. The last time he was seen by some of our staff was in his dressing room the night of the last regular-season home game on May 23."
If anyone has information regarding the disappearance of Chop Chop between that May 23rd date and July 7, please call the Volusia County Sheriff's Department or for ticket information call 863-687-8110.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 10, 2005
- Chop Chop in custody of police department - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Chop Chop found on Daytona Beach street - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Maulers look to make playoffs - Montgomery Bears
- Chop Chop found on Daytona Beach street; remains in Sheriff's custody - Daytona Beach Hawgs
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