In a bizarre and unsettling incident, a hooded thief was captured on video uprooting a freshly planted hyacinth from a couple's flowerbed before casually depositing it into her reusable shopping bag. The footage, recorded by a doorbell camera, shows the woman, who appears to be in her 60s, strolling along the driveway of the home belonging to Dennis and Svitlana Jacobsen.
Caught in the Act
The video clearly depicts the moment the woman swiftly pulls the purple hyacinth out of the earth, taking a substantial clump of roots with it. She then carefully places the stolen plant into her large blue carrier bag. After completing the theft, she walks across the road and eyes up another flowerbed, suggesting she may have been targeting additional gardens in the area.
Couple's Distress
Dennis and Svitlana Jacobsen had only planted the hyacinth a few weeks earlier, having purchased the bulbs approximately two months ago. The couple first realized the flower was missing when they noticed a conspicuous gap in their flowerbed the following day. Upon reviewing their doorbell camera footage, they were shocked to see the theft unfold.
Svitlana Jacobsen, 43, expressed her upset over the incident, stating, 'I looked at the border and thought 'where is my purple flower? There was just a hole in the ground where it was.' She described watching the footage, which showed 'a lady slowly approaching the flower bed. She pulled it out and popped it into her bag.'
Identification and Motive
Ms. Jacobsen noted that the woman was aged between 55 and 70 and was wearing sunglasses and a scarf, likely in an attempt to conceal her identity. 'I didn't recognise her but somebody did say the same lady stole some of their flowers last year,' she added, indicating this might not be an isolated case.
Although the hyacinth bulbs cost only £1-£2, Ms. Jacobsen emphasized that the incident was not about the monetary value. 'It isn't about the money but about how people try and make their home nice and colourful with flowers so people who walk in the area can enjoy it and somebody feels they have the right to just come along and take it,' she explained, highlighting the broader impact on community spirit and personal effort.
Broader Implications
This theft underscores a growing trend of garden-related crimes, where individuals target plants and decorations from residential properties. The use of doorbell cameras has become increasingly vital in documenting such acts, providing clear evidence that can aid in identification and prevention.
The Jacobsens' experience serves as a reminder for homeowners to remain vigilant and consider security measures for their gardens. While the stolen hyacinth may have been of low financial value, the emotional toll and violation of personal space are significant, affecting how residents feel about their neighbourhood safety and shared public enjoyment of beautified spaces.
