Stolen teddy bear gets helicopter rescue after Downtown theft

Chicago police officers sprang into action Friday night — including using a helicopter — to rescue a teddy bear stolen from a Downtown chocolate shop.

According to a police scanner, officers used a helicopter to help track down Truffles, a 3-foot brown bear in a blue hat and overalls that was nabbed from his home at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at 3 N. State St.

“Operation Teddy Bear, strong work,” an officer was heard saying Friday night.

The bear was sitting at his favorite spot at the window when a group of teenagers who had been hanging out outside the store went inside around 7:30 p.m. and took off with him, owner Tyson Minnick told the Sun-Times.

“He got a wild ride around the city for about an hour,” Minnick said.

The teenagers attempted to flee with Truffles, boarding a CTA Red Line train, but were stopped by Chicago police officers at the 35th Street station.

Truffles was rescued and brought back home, according to Minnick. “He even got to ride in a squad car,” he said.

Two people were placed in custody, Chicago police said. Charges were pending.

The Sun-Times reached out to Chicago police but got no comment as to why a helicopter was used in recovering the teddy bear.

Minnick said the employees on duty were shaken by the incident but reacted quickly and called the police. He said Friday’s incident was the first time anyone had tried to take Truffles and they are now taking steps to prevent it from happening again.

The store hasn’t had many issues since opening late last year, but Minnick said there were concerns about the growing trend of “teen takeovers” Downtown. The meetups have sometimes led to violence and prompted questions about curfews, how to provide alternatives for teenagers and the role of parents.

“They're kids. I did stupid things when I was 17, too, but seeing them jump in and grab [Truffles] was just an odd thing to watch,” Minnick said.