Photo: Kevin Rothwell

A Vernon couple's riding lawnmower is back home, after being taken for a joyride.

Peter and Denise Minchenko live near Ellison Elementary School in Okanagan Landing and left their Husqvarna mower on their lawn after it stopped working on Sept. 23.

"We went for a round of golf, and when we came back, we noticed it missing. You could see the tracks in the lawn, that it was driven away," said Minchenko.

RCMP were called when the bright orange tractor was left abandoned near the Buy-Low grocery store on 25th Avenue, and they had it towed away.

Vernon Towing called Savoy Equipment, which sells that brand, and they were able to track down the original buyer, who had sold it to the Minchenkos.

The buyer didn't know their address, but remembered where he delivered it to. The towing company then got a number off a gate for a storage lot and called the owners, who in turn contacted the Minchenkos.

"It cost $600 for towing and storage fees, but thanks to some legwork from Keith at Vernon Towing, we have our mower back, and now it's all locked up," said Minchenko.

Police have not received any tips on who took the tractor for a spin.