In Pickerington, Ohio, a local farmer is reeling after more than 300 specially cultivated pumpkins were stolen from his patch in what he calls a devastating theft. Terry Dunlap, owner of Sam’s Pumpkin Patch, had poured months of care into growing a premium crop with thick, long stems—perfect for decorative displays and worth more than $6,000 in total. But now, just weeks before peak pumpkin season, his prized harvest is gone.
The theft happened at the end of September in a back field that was largely out of public view. When Dunlap walked out and saw the field nearly empty, he said the feeling hit him like a punch to the gut. “I was sick. Physically. I mean, just overwhelming,” he told Fox 8. These weren’t your average pumpkins either.
Some were the size of bushel baskets, with stems as long as your arm. They were his pride and joy.
And he’s not alone. Another farm nearby, Puffy’s Pumpkins, also reported a clean sweep of its stock. According to Dunlap, the farm’s owner had filled a display on a Monday. By Tuesday morning, it was completely wiped out.
Because it’s now fall—the height of pumpkin-buying season—Dunlap says thieves can move the stolen pumpkins fast, often selling them at bargain prices. It’s a quick flip for fast cash, and customers, unaware they’re buying stolen goods, snap them up without a second thought.
Sam’s Pumpkin Patch took to Facebook to alert the community and offer a reward for any information leading to an arrest. “If anyone knows who may have been driving around the Central Ohio area in the past week or so trying to sell a very large quantity of large stem pumpkins out of a trailer or truck, let us know,” the post read. “That theft from our fields cost us an incredible amount of income we worked hard to produce. Felony theft amount.”
They shared a photo of one of the only pumpkins left behind, a heartbreaking visual of what should have been a bountiful season. And while supporters immediately asked if the farm had a GoFundMe set up, Dunlap respectfully declined. “You can support us by telling your local friends to visit,” the farm wrote. “We are not comfortable accepting or setting up a GoFundMe or special Cash/Venmo, etc, at this time. We encourage you to give to a local charity of your choice instead.”
They also gave a shoutout to Puffy’s Pumpkin Patch and urged the community to support both businesses through visits and purchases.
In the comments, longtime customers flooded the post with love and outrage. “They literally stole memories… not just pumpkins,” one person wrote. Another added, “This breaks my heart for y’all. I hope you catch the thief!”
For Dunlap and others like him, this wasn’t just produce—it was personal. Months of work, care, and hope, all hauled away under cover of night. Now, it’s not just about catching the crooks. It’s about reminding the community that these small farms survive on more than crops—they survive on trust.
