The Aporia · Great pumpkin caper: Thieves steal nearly all the gourds from family farm

Meyers Family Farm in Capron, Illinois lost nearly 95 percent of its pumpkin crop when thieves stole about 200 pumpkins just before a local farm event. This theft occurred during the farm’s first year growing pumpkins without insurance, and it canceled pumpkin-picking activities as a result. The owners expressed regret over families missing out on spending time together at their farm but emphasized they will continue operating with support from other farms in the area.

Written by AI on 2026-10-06, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

On September 24, thieves stole nearly 95 percent of the pumpkin crop from Meyers Family Farm in Capron, Illinois. The farm lost around 200 out of approximately 1,000 pumpkins planted for its first season without insurance. This theft occurred just before the farm’s participation in the Boone County Farm Stroll, where families could pick their own pumpkins. As a result, the farm had to cancel pumpkin-picking activities and contact customers with existing orders about potential refunds.

Despite the financial loss, the Meyers family expressed resilience, stating that they would continue moving forward and learning for future seasons. TJ’s Market and Twisted Root, however, offered to share their pumpkin crops, allowing the farm to still participate in the event with support from other local growers.

Written for “Pumpkin Heist Incident” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Pumpkin Heist Incident

Crime & Law · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

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Erin Keller

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The farm received support from other local growers and was ultimately able to participate in the Boone County Farm Stroll after the nearby TJ’s Market and Twisted Root offered to share their pumpkin crops.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-06

🔮 The farm canceled pumpkin-picking at the event and said other customers with existing orders would be contacted about refunds.

2026-10-06 · The Independent

Great pumpkin caper: Thieves steal nearly all the gourds from family farm · assertive framing

An Illinois family farm lost nearly 95 percent of its pumpkin crop after thieves entered the field and stole nearly 200 pumpkins. asserted

thieves → lose → pumpkins

Meyers Family Farm, owned by Vicky and Tyler Meyers, is in Capron, about 77 miles northwest of Chicago. asserted

Farm → own → Chicago

The farm planted about 1,000 pumpkins in its first season growing the crop, which was not insured. asserted

which → plant → crop

The thieves took the farm’s regular orange pumpkins but left specialty varieties that had already been harvested, the farm said in a September 24 Facebook post. asserted

farm → take → post

The theft came just before the farm’s first Boone County Farm Stroll, where families had the opportunity to pick pumpkins. asserted

families → come → pumpkins

The farm canceled pumpkin-picking at the event and said other customers with existing orders would be contacted about refunds. asserted

customers → cancel → refunds

We will continue to move forward, learn from this season, and prepare for the next,” the family said. asserted

family → continue → next

“However, what hurts the most is thinking about the families and children who could have enjoyed these pumpkins, spent time outdoors, and made memories with us and their families.” uncertain

who → hurt → us

The Meyers family said it knows of several other farms around Capron and nearby Poplar Grove where people have entered fields or stolen crops. asserted

people → say → crops

“At this point, we’ve been told the individuals may be men around 30 years old and may be driving a silver, four-door truck. uncertain

individuals → tell → truck

Please don’t approach or confront anyone you suspect. asserted

you → please → anyone

Instead, keep an eye out around local farms and report anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities,” the family wrote in a September 25 Facebook update. asserted

family → keep → update

Market → receive → crops

“That kindness means more than we can say,” Meyers Family Farm said. asserted

Farm → mean → more

Despite the loss, the farm plans to remain open with specialty pumpkins and other fall crops. asserted

farm → plan → pumpkins

Vicky and Tyler Meyers also plan to add security cameras to their property, they told ABC7 WLS. asserted

they → plan → WLS

The Independent has contacted the Meyers Family Farm and Boone County Sheriff's Office for comment. asserted

Independent → contact → comment

Great pumpkin caper: Thieves steal nearly all the gourds from family farm

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