Inflatable muscle man stolen from roof of Hollywood shop

Authorities are searching for the thief who did the heavy lifting and swiped a 15-foot-tall muscle man from an AIDS Healthcare Foundation thrift shop near Sunset and Vine.
 
The heist late Tuesday or early Wednesday involved an inflatable figure lashed to the roof of the Out of the Closet shop at 6210 Sunset Blvd., said foundation spokesman Ged Kenslea. The figure was adorned with banners reminding passersby to be tested for AIDS and HIV, and was popular with tourists who pass the site opposite the Hollywood Palladium, Kenslea said.

A generator used to keep the bicep-flexing figure pumped up was also stolen, Kenslea said. His group hopes to retrieve the muscle man in time to adorn him with a "Stay Negative" banner for a June 14 West Hollywood Gay Pride Parade, he said.

-- Bob Pool