Kidnappers nab Frosty for ransom

Frosty’s safe back home now after surviving a kidnapping ordeal a few weeks ago.

The 10-foot blowup snowman was taken last month from the front of O’Doherty’s Irish Grille, 525 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., and held for ransom.

Restaurant and bar owner Tim O’Doherty said he discovered Frosty missing on Nov. 30 when he arrived for work. The kidnappers left behind a black plastic bag with ground up carrot and snow inside of it. They sent a ransom note by e-mail from the address frostymustdie@snowman.com, demanding a free night of beer drinking.

Included with the note were photographs of Frosty at three other Spokane bars – the Red Lion, Jack and Dan’s and Talotti’s.

O’Doherty said he also was told that Frosty was taken to Stateline, Idaho, where he had the chance to cavort with some of the showgirls there.

On Nov. 29, O’Doherty was summoned to the Red Lion, where he found Frosty held prisoner on the outdoor patio. Several patrons, including some of O’Doherty’s regular customers, were there demanding that O’Doherty pay their $260 bar tab. He did.

“He appeared to be happy,” O’Doherty said of Frosty.

The Talotti family, which owns the Red Lion and Talotti’s, both at Main and Division downtown, were likely to have been involved. Police said they would not get involved in what they told O’Doherty was a “sophomoric prank.”

Tony Talotti acknowledged that he resembles one of the people shown in the photos that accompanied the ransom note, and pointed out that O’Doherty got off easy because the kidnappers at one time had been demanding $1 million in addition to free beer.

He said the kidnappers planned the caper while drinking at O’Doherty’s, and one of the suspects goes by the name Steve Hintyesz. “There may also be a local contractor involved and a tile worker,” Talotti said.

He added that his father, George, was not aware of the plot.

Hintyesz said that if confronted, he would acknowledge there is a lot of evidence suggesting his involvement.

O’Doherty said he suspects the Talottis were upset because he got his Christmas decorations, including Frosty, up before they did. “I think it was jealousy because I had embraced the spirit of Christmas better than they did,” he said.

Now that Frosty’s back, people in the downtown area are smiling. So is Frosty after his trip to Stateline, O’Doherty said. “For many people, a visit to Frosty is almost like seeing Santa,” he added.