At the entrance of the Mangilao Night Market stalls, there's something noticeably missing.  

"It wasn't as large as it is now. They just refurbished it, "Jenei Aguon said.

She and her husband Kevin were on the Donne' Festival committee when they got the large chili pepper statue from the local Chili's restaurant to be used as the village festival mascot in 2017. 

"So they transported it in a big flatbed truck and we were so happy because now Mangilao does have the biggest chili," Aguon said. 

A red and green fiberglass display was stolen at the night market sight near the catholic church. 

The village noticed it was missing Tuesday morning. 

 

"People take photos with it during the Thursday night market," Aguon said. "It's just really sad that someone would take all the hard work and coordination by the vendors of the festival and night market who is one big family and take care of the place. I don't think they can get anything out of it. It's just fiberglass. It's just really heavy."

The theft also has Mangilao Mayor Allan Ungacta perplexed and disgusted. 

"What would you do with a pepper that big," he questioned. "The biggest thing on my mind is the morality of the people...the basic concept of respect. Where are we at and what are we doing nowadays? What are certain individuals nowadays."

While many online are coming up with some rather comical responses to the theft, the issue is serious to the village of Mangilao. 

"It's very disturbing because some people may chuckle at it but please, it's a pepper, it's chili and has significance and means a lot to our community for because of our annual Donne' Festival," the mayor said. 

"Good luck with your chili," Aguon said. "I don't know what you are going to do with that. It's kind of hard to miss. If they return it and put it back to where it was then no questions asked. That's fine."

For now, Aguon said they are working to get a replacement. 

Anyone with information about the theft can call police or the Mangilao Mayor's Office. 

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