How can Madonna Inn thwart the ‘welcome mat’ bandits? Here are some ideas | Opinion

For the fifth time in just a little over three years, thieves — possibly Cal Poly students — stole the Madonna Inn’s iconic welcome mat that graces the entrance to a restaurant at San Luis Obispo’s landmark hotel.

Due to the random and weird nature of the crimes, it’s suspected that the thieves — who have all been young men — may belong to a Cal Poly fraternity.

That’s really not funny, guys. Nor is it original.

At this point, it’s a copycat crime. If you want to pull off a prank to be proud of, try something clever that is preferably not a criminal act, is not destructive and does not amount to harassment of a local business.

Just give Madonna Inn a break, because employees there have had it with the obnoxious stunt and are less inclined to be forgiving. This time, they notified police of the latest theft, which happened at 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

The incident is now under investigation and video, screenshots and a detailed description of the getaway vehicle — a four-door, pewter-colored 2007 GMC Sierra 4x4 with custom wheels and brake lights, with license plate 169ZRD — have been widely circulated.

There’s also a shot of the two masked-and-hooded criminal suspects (yes, that’s what they are) who entered the restaurant, scooped up the rug and then hopped into the waiting pickup.

If you know these jokers, turn them in. It could earn you a $500 reward the Madonna Inn is offering.

If you are one of these jokers, return the mat. (Same goes for those responsible for the previous four thefts.) A note of apology would be nice, too.

Or if you really want to man up, return the rug and apologize in person.

‘Somebody could get run over’

Not only did the thieves steal something of value — each mat, which features the Madonna Inn logo, is custom-made and costs around $250 — they also created a potentially dangerous situation.

During a similar incident that happened in March, the culprits pushed two customers out of the way as they bolted from the restaurant, according to Madonna Inn manager Connie Pearce.

“It’s a serious problem,” she said at the time. “It’s something that is getting out of hand, and I don’t want to see one of them hurt. I also don’t want to see them running over a small child. The way that they leave out of here is really dangerous, and somebody could get run over.”

Pearce tried to foil the thieves this year by temporarily removing the welcome mat during the month of October, in case the thefts were some kind of fall fraternity initiation rite. She put the mat back in place in November, and within two weeks it was gone.

Ditch it ... tack it ... or tag it?

We’re tempted to suggest that the Madonna Inn hold off on replacing the mat yet again, or maybe use a more generic version that does not have the famous logo.

Or if it is replaced, maybe tack it down with carpet tape? Or try adding some discreet security trackers that will act like Apple AirTags that lead straight to the mat — where five identical ones may also be waiting?

It would be even better if some sort of permanent dye — pink, of course — could be infused into the fibers and released only if the rug is removed from the building, forever staining the thieves’ sticky fingers.

Granted, none of this should be necessary.

Nobody should have to put with this kind of nonsense. College students — if that’s indeed who they are, and apologies in advance if they are not — are young adults, and do not qualify for the kids-do-the-darnedest-things dispensation.

This is not some harmless little prank. It’s a crime. It’s also dumb and it’s not exactly good PR for fraternities — even if they are being falsely accused.

So show some respect.

If you want a kitschy Madonna Inn souvenir to remind you of your college years, buy a key chain or one of those fancy goblets. Better yet, buy one for every member of the fraternity. Maybe you’ll get a discount.

But please, let the rug rest in peace in its place of honor — the floor of Madonna Inn’s Gold Rush Steak House.

This story was originally published November 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.