Firefighters Charged in Mendham Lawn Jockey Theft in New Jersey

MENDHAM, N.J. (AP) -- Police have solved the mystery of the missing lawn jockey, but came up with some surprising suspects in its theft: two volunteer firefighters.

Firefighters William Willshaw Jr., 34, and Richard DeNicola, 24, and their roommate Stephen Basho, 25, were charged Wednesday with possession of stolen property and knowingly receiving stolen property, and freed on $200 bail each pending a May 25 municipal court date.

Police say they stole a lawn jockey statue two years ago from the entrance of the Black Horse tavern. Restaurant owner Anthony Knapp offered a reward for its return, and papered the township with fliers seeking information on its whereabouts.

When the statue was recovered, its hands and face were painted black.

''It is certainly a poor attempt at humor, and what they did is certainly a crime,'' Mendham Township police Lt. Jim Hughes told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Thursday's newspapers.

Police found the 4-foot-tall, 40-pound statue on April 16 in the basement of the suspects' home after officers responded there on a report of a quarrel.

Investigators said the trio traveled with the statue, bringing it to a NASCAR race.

Mendham Fire Chief Tom Berenbak said he will investigate the matter, describing DeNicola and Willshaw as ''good guys'' who have been with the department for five years.