The second painted pirate to disappear in just over a week's time was recovered close to home Thursday morning.

The city of Greenville's pirate was bolted to the sidewalk outside its Fifth Street office — in clear view of the Greenville Police Department — before he was taken some time Wednesday night. He was found at 7 a.m. only two blocks away.

University Book Exchange's "Captain Jack" was stolen last week, but spotted by a resident on an elementary school basketball court Saturday.

"We're not shocked that it would occur," City Manager Wayne Bowers said. "But we are disappointed."

Washington, N.C., has a similar project in place. More than 30 crabs were placed around the town beginning in August 2006, and Lt. William Chrismon of the Washington Police Department said they've had only two thefts.

A PeeDee the Pirate crab was stolen in December 2006 and never recovered, and someone tried to free one in Bath by throwing it off a bridge. The PeeDee crab was replaced, and the waterlogged crab repaired and secured.

Bowers said the city's pirate sustained some injuries to his underside when someone ripped him from the sidewalk, and also had a crack in the hat and on his elbow. The city manager believes he was dragged down the street, causing the damage, when the thief saw someone and abandoned the statue.

"He's in the shop now," Bowers said of the pirate, but added they plan to get him back on the street and better secured as soon he's patched up.

Scott Senatore, Chamber of Commerce vice president of marketing and technology, said his office is looking into extra security measures for all 16 pirates. The chamber is looking forward to the influx of people coming into town for college graduations and Mother's Day this weekend, he said, but it's also making them "a little nervous" about further thefts.

"We want them out there, because they're a public art project," he said. "And we want to still make them look good so we're looking at ways to secure them without ruining the appearance."

In the meantime, there is one lucky business not worried at all.

East Carolina Bank office executive Kelli Maynard said they scored a heavyweight pirate. Created as a mosaic, it weighs close to 300 pounds rather than 60. She added that their location at the intersection of Arlington Boulevard and Red Banks Road offers additional security.

"Being right there on the corner I feel like someone would see it, no matter what time it was," Maynard said.

The city of Greenville pirate, "Greenville Inside and Out," features renditions of historic Greenville photographs and local crops.

The painted pirates were unveiled during April's PirateFest and will stand outside sponsoring businesses until they are auctioned off next year.