The Gnome Liberation Front (GLF) suffers a setback in Montana, as reported in abcnews.com's Crime Blotter:

M I S S O U L A, Mont. — It looks like it's the end of the line for the Gnome Liberation Front.

After a yearlong string of garden gnome thefts in Missoula police say they've recovered more than a dozen of the small, kitschy statuettes and have identified the culprits.

"We had a Crimestoppers tip come in last week indicating these gnomes were being held in an apartment," says Detective Annie Norby.

Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and found 18 apparently stolen figurines inside.

The gnome-nappers had confessed to authorities, saying the thefts were simply a prank, Norby said.

"The guys were cooperative," she said. Police have not released the suspects' names, since they have not yet been charged. Charges were pending, however, Norby said.

The gnome heists began last summer, with the thieves leaving notes signed by the "Gnome Liberation Front" in many cases. Several of the gnomes later turned up on the lawns of local schools.

Even though the thefts were intended as a harmless prank, Norby said some victims had been distressed.

"I do remember an elderly woman who had a 2 ½-foot-tall figure that was set on fire," she said. "It was actually made by a family member, so there's a lot of sentimental value."

Other victims will be invited to the police station to try to identify their statues in a gnome lineup.

Olaf, a friend of a friend of a friend, was a victim of a "harmless prank", last summer in Vancouver. The GLF never claimed responsibility for the gnome-napping, and the true culprit has never been brought to justice.