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Beloved dinosaur statue returned to LA gas station

By
Published  October 6, 2025 9:41am PDT
Brentwood
FOX 11
Brentwood dinosaur returned to gas station

Brentwood dinosaur returned to gas station

Claire the dinosaur is back home after being stolen last week from a Brentwood gas station.

The Brief

    • A beloved dinosaur statue, stolen from a Los Angeles gas station, has been returned with a note of apology.
    • The green Apatosaurus, named "Claire," was discovered covered in a blanket with a note asking the owner not to press charges.
    • The dino is a beloved spot for community members to visit, take pictures with, and even dress her up during the holidays. 

LOS ANGELES - A Sinclair gas station owner in Los Angeles is breathing a sigh of relief after a beloved fiberglass dinosaur statue was returned after being stolen late last month.

It's a crime that was so shocking, the owner said people were crying and even leaving flowers at the spot Claire the dinosaur stood.  

‘Please do not press charges’

What they're saying:

The green Apatosaurus, named Claire, was returned after being stolen over a week ago. The dinosaur was covered in a blanket along with a note that read, "Sorry for stealing Claire! Please do not press charges!"

"This morning my cashier went in again to open up and she called me right away and she says, 'you'll never believe it. Claire's back.' Claire, she was dropped off in a white sheet wrapped around her, taped up with a note," gas station owner John Fawcett said. " I feel bad for somebody that has to steal, and I don't want to make their life anymore miserable than it already is," he added. 

The backstory:

Video taken on Saturday, Sept. 27, shows the moment when Dino Claire was stolen from the gas station located at 13060 San Vicent Blvd. in the Brentwood area. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man caught on video stealing beloved dinosaur statue from LA gas station

In the video, a man is seen walking toward the statue and as he proceeds to seemingly unscrew it from the ground. He walks away and then returns with a white cover over his shoulder. A white pickup then pulls up besides as he's seen placing the dinosaur into the vehicle, getting into the passengers' side as the two take off from the scene. 

Fawcett previously told FOX 11 that Claire was given to him as a gift nearly seven years ago, adding it was modeled after the iconic Sinclair logo. 

The statue is treasured by the community and Fawcett said kids often stop by to take pictures with it. In addition, community members dress up the fiberglass statue throughout the year, and he decorates Dino Claire for the holidays. 

The Source: This story was written based on an interview with Sinclair gas station owner John Fawcett and a previous FOX 11 report. 

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