COLUMBIA, SC — A carved Indonesian water buffalo skull that was stolen from a Shandon home decor store Tuesday was returned Wednesday with an apology note, according to the store’s manager.

When the skull, valued at $2,800, was stolen from the Bohemian Home Decor store on Devine Street yesterday afternoon, manager Denise Cellier said she expected to never see it again. But a firefighter at the nearby Devine Street station awoke to find the statue with a note attached about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“I never ever expected to get it back,” Cellier said. “It was a pleasant surprise. “

Police returned the skull to the store Wednesday afternoon and the art piece is back in its original stand, Cellier said. Now that the piece has been returned, Cellier said she’d rather not press charges.

But investigators are still looking for the man and woman who took the skull Tuesday. If you know anything about the suspects, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or www.sccrimestoppers.com.