Four people fled the sports-utility vehicle, but Gordy the goat was found lying down with an orange electrical cord around his neck.
Police said Gordy had been abducted at Indian Mounds Park from a herd of goats that had been rented by the St Paul Parks and Recreation department. Their job: To eat invasive plants on a difficult-to-reach bluff along the Mississippi River.
Dutch panda mania as giant bears arrive from China
It was the St Paul Police Department's first known case of goat-thieving, said spokesperson Steve Linders. The motive is still a mystery.
"I wish I knew," said Clare Cloyd, a spokeswoman from St Paul Parks and Recreation, which was only three days into its experiment with the goat herd when the theft occurred.
Linders said two 29-year-old men were arrested on potential charges of gross misdemeanour theft and fleeing police.
Gordy was returned unharmed to the park. Some of his herd had escaped through a damaged fence and were rounded up, according to park officials. Since then, a police Facebook post about the incident has gotten a usual amount of attention with comments like "stealing really gets my goat."
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ