NORFOLK - On the outskirts of Norfolk, there's been a lot of talk about Bigfoot.

But they're not debating his existence. That's because this one is certainly real.

He's been a curious sight just on the side of the road.

But earlier this month, he became noticeably absent.

“We used to have Darryl, it was our bigfoot," said Jeff Buol. "We named him after that Progressive commercial."

"He was about 5 foot tall, and we guess somewhere between 400 and 500 pounds."

Darryl was a birthday gift from Jeff’s brother, Tony. On March 5th, Jeff’s dad Terry noticed Darryl had mysteriously disappeared.

“Didn't always catch my eye, and I just happened to look over there and it was gone," Terry said.

He called the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the theft. Tire tracks on the ground suggested a vehicle backed up to the statue before it vanished from the pedestal.

“Probably had to back up to it, tip it in," Terry said, "Tony, he said he should have bought the big one,”

“It’d be kind of fun if he just appeared back, and people would just leave him be,” said Jeff's mom, Judi.

“People had a smile when they drove by here. You know, that’s kind of fun.”

And those people are now joining the lookout for the Buol’s Big Foot.

A post on Facebook asking for information received 600 shares, with people commenting about where they might have seen the sculpture.

“We'd just really like to get him back," Jeff said.

“When we get him back, you can come film it!” Terry said.