Abingdon has a message for whoever stole two wolf statues created to promote the town: Bring them back and you won't face charges.

Twenty-seven statues painted by local artists were placed around the Virginia town on Saturday. The statues are to remain until October, when they will be auctioned off to benefit Advance Abingdon, the town's Main Street organization.

But two statues disappeared Sunday night from outside the Barter Theatre and a downtown business.

Advance Abingdon President Gary Kimbrell came up with the idea for the project. He says the town once known as Wolf Hills just wants its wolves back and no charges will be filed if the statues are returned.