Thieves recently picked up a wooden hitchhiker that really didn’t want a ride.

A familiar sight to Whidbey Islanders, a sombrero-wearing wooden figurine posed as though it was hitchhiking was taken from La Paz restaurant on Feb. 22. Stephanie Cook, co-owner of the Clinton restaurant, said the sculpture was taken sometime late that night or early Sunday morning.

“I thought it was kind of ironic it happened during Mystery Weekend,” she said.

Cook said she purchased the sculpture from chainsaw artist Pat McVay six months ago.

Cook and her husband, Troy, said they hope someone sees the missing sculpture and returns it, no questions asked.