CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Thieves who targeted a Chihuly glass art installation at Fairchild Tropical Garden left behind taunting artwork of their own.

As the culprits made off with eight of the 7-foot glass reeds, they replaced them in the art arrangement with plastic PVC pipe poles that had been painted red, according to a report by a Coral Gables police detective. They also switched a framed sign with artist Dale Chihuly's name with a sign that spelled out "Fauxhuly," possibly referring to the PVC piping as faux, or fake Chihuly.

"It's not a prank to us. It's a very serious crime and we're pursuing it as such," said Bruce Greer, president of Fairchild's Board of Trustees. "It's an insult to the greatest art exhibit in the last 25 years in South Florida."

Fairchild employees noticed the eight pieces missing from the installation of 389 glass reeds during their daily inventory count last Wednesday morning. They said they believe the thieves struck during the stormy night before.

The brilliant vermillion, scarlet and garnet glass reeds are part of Chihuly's second showing at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. His colorful, whimsical glass sculptures are strategically placed in and around the gardens. The Reeds exhibit is located in a cactus garden located just 40 feet from the fenceline facing Old Cutler Road.

Greer said he doesn't believe that the culprits are the same ones who stole two of the red glass reeds last December. Weeks after that theft, an anonymous caller told Fairchild employees where to locate the artwork, hidden behind a fence along Tigertail Avenue. They were returned safely to the exhibit, but the thieves who took them have not been caught.

Coral Gables detectives said they are following several leads in the latest heist.

"I don't believe the reeds are in a pawn shop or out in a front yard," said Detective Peter Cuervo. "Chihuly is for the more educated consumer or art collector."

Fairchild's board president estimates the eight reeds are worth $80,000.