“A blow to someone’s passion”: Owner of Lara’s Roraima Nursery rocked by theft of prized figs

The owner of a nursery in Lara has pleaded for the return of two rare fig plants, stolen from his prized personal collection.

Lyle Filippe, owner of Roraima Nursery, is reeling after two prized plants were stolen. Picture: Alan Barber

The owner of a nursery in Lara has been rocked by the theft of two prized plants.

Lyle Filippe, who is the owner of Roraima Nursery by the Princes Fwy, was left shaken after two rare fig trees were stolen from his personal collection on Tuesday evening.

Mr Filippe said he has lost sleep since he noticed the variegated fig trees were missing from his collection, and has posted an appeal on Facebook pleading for their return, “no questions asked”.

The two prized figs were stolen from the personal collection of Roraima Nursery owner, Lyle Filippe. Picture: Lyle Filippe.

“To the low-life individuals who stole my two variegated fig trees (Ficus carica ‘Variegata’) from my personal collection — just know that karma has a way of catching up,” he wrote.

“I’ve spent years growing and caring for my collection, only to have two prized variegated figs stolen on Tuesday July 8th.

“To whoever took them: this isn’t just theft — it’s a blow to someone’s passion and livelihood. These are extremely rare plants.

“If you have any decency, return them to the car park — no questions asked.”

He did not report the matter to police as he felt it wouldn’t lead to the return of his plants.

Mr Filippe said that the nursery had been targeted by thieves in the past, but usually power tools or items left close to the fence were taken.

“It’s not usually this targeted,” he said.

“They don’t usually go after the special stuff.”

Mr Filippe said the plants were tucked away in an area that is not accessible to the public during trading hours, and he believes that whoever took them must be a plant collector or have expertise.

“The figs are very unusual because they’re variegated,” he said.

Variegated plants, which are plants whose leaves display two or more different colours, are rare due to their unique patterns.

Roraima Nursery in Lara will slowly close over the next two to three years. Picture: Alan Barber

“Although they’re only two small plants, worth about $500 … for me it’s the rarity and the idea that I was going to grow them and have them forever,” Mr Filippe said.

“Being a collector, all the plants have a very special meaning to me.

“It’s a combination of someone walking into your personal space, then taking your prized plants – it’s in my head forever now.”

Mr Filippe is in the process of closing down Roraima Nursery, much to the dismay of local green thumbs.

He said it was a “bittersweet” decision, but he is looking forward to retiring after more than 30 years in the horticulture industry.

He said this was a sad blow in his final months of operating.

“I wanted to keep the things that were special to me.”

Originally published as “A blow to someone’s passion”: Owner of Lara’s Roraima Nursery rocked by theft of prized figs