Chicago police called in a helicopter Friday night for an oddly high-stakes mission: find Truffles, the three-foot stuffed mascot swiped from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on North State Street. Officers ultimately tracked down the oversized teddy bear, returned it to the shop unharmed, and took two people into custody.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, employees said a group of teenagers walked into the Loop shop around 7:30 p.m., grabbed Truffles, a three-foot brown bear in a blue hat and overalls, and hopped on a CTA Red Line train. Officers intercepted them at the 35th Street station and recovered the bear. Owner Tyson Minnick told the outlet, "He got a wild ride around the city for about an hour."
Franchisee Background and Store Context
The Loop store is one of several Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations operated locally by franchisee Tyson Minnick, who opened the North State Street spot this winter as part of a broader expansion, as reported by What Now Chicago. Minnick and employees said they were relieved to see Truffles back where he belongs after what they described as an odd and upsetting episode for staff and customers.
Legal Note
Chicago police say two people were taken into custody and that charges are pending, though authorities have not yet specified what those charges will be. The initial reports and scanner audio were detailed by the Chicago Sun-Times, which noted that officers deployed the department’s helicopter during the search.
For Now, Truffles Is Back
For the moment, Truffles is back in the Loop storefront window, greeting passersby as usual. Shop staff say they plan to review display and staffing routines to head off any copycat pranks, and the swift rescue has left employees and onlookers glad to see the familiar mascot returned to his usual perch.
