Boy pleads for stolen pumpkin; last gift from his grandfather

A Suffolk County family says a cold-hearted criminal stole a 100-pound pumpkin of sentimental value from their doorstep.
The pumpkin was grown for 6-year-old Kevin Beckmann by his grandfather, Thomas Beckmann. The elder Beckmann planted the pumpkin back in May in his West Islip garden. A week later, he died of liver failure.
“The reason why I loved [the pumpkin] so much was because it was from Pop and it was his last gift to me,” Kevin told News 12.
The Lindenhurst family believes the pumpkin was stolen under the cover of darkness on Friday night.
Kevin's aunt posted a plea on Facebook for information leading to the return of the pumpkin. It has since been shared more than 1,100 times.
After learning about the story, people have begun leaving pumpkins on the family’s doorstep.
The family is offering a $500 dollar reward for information leading to the gourd's return.
Kevin told News 12 that if the pumpkin has been smashed, he would like to know where – so he can collect the seeds and plant them.
(Kevin and "Pop" Thomas Beckmann)