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VALPARAISO — It hasn't been all fun and games at this year's Porter County Fair.

For the second year in a row, police say someone attempted to steal a rabbit on display at the fair.

The incident involving the Polish rabbit occurred at 9:42 p.m. Sunday when 4-H children noticed Nicholas Santmyre, 20, of Valparaiso, pick up the animal, attempt to hide it under his shirt and attempt to flee the area, according to county police.

An adult who witnessed the move confronted Santmyre, retrieved the rabbit and kept him on site until police arrived.

Santmyre, who was issued a summons for misdemeanor theft, "stated he had been thinking about purchasing a rabbit for several months," according to the police report. "Nicholas stated it was a stupid decision to attempt to steal the rabbit and that he regretted his action."

He was escorted to his vehicle by police.

During last year's fair, a Twitter message led police to a 21-year-old Portage woman, who was accused of stealing a chestnut-colored Netherland dwarf rabbit because she was concerned about the animal's welfare.