Teddy Bear Stolen from Downtown Chocolate Shop Recovered by Police

Truffles the 3-foot brown bear in a blue hat and overalls was rescued after being taken from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:38pm

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Chicago police officers successfully recovered Truffles, a 3-foot brown teddy bear in a blue hat and overalls, after he was stolen from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Downtown Chicago on Friday night. Two people were taken into custody, and charges are pending.

Why it matters

The theft of the beloved store mascot Truffles highlights growing concerns about 'teen takeovers' in the Downtown area, which have sometimes led to violence and prompted discussions about curfews and providing alternatives for teenagers.

The details

Around 7:30 pm on Friday, a group of teenagers entered the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, grabbed Truffles from his spot in the store window, and fled the scene. The teenagers tried to escape on a CTA Red Line train, but were stopped by police at the 35th Street station. Officers used a helicopter to help track down Truffles, and he was safely returned to the store.

  • On Friday, April 4, 2026 around 7:30 pm, the teenagers stole Truffles from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
  • The police recovered Truffles about an hour later on the CTA Red Line.

The players

Truffles

A 3-foot brown teddy bear in a blue hat and overalls who serves as the mascot for the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in Downtown Chicago.

Tyson Minnick

The owner of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in Downtown Chicago.

Chicago Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the theft of Truffles and successfully recovered the teddy bear.

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What they’re saying

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

— Tyson Minnick, Owner, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

“Operation Teddy Bear, strong work.”

— Chicago Police Officer

What’s next

The two people taken into custody will face charges related to the theft of Truffles. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store is reviewing security measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing problem of 'teen takeovers' in Downtown Chicago, which have led to increased concerns about public safety and the need for community-based solutions to provide positive outlets for young people.