News Story of the Year: The taking of Truffles: Bear-napped mascot returned to Geneva candy store

The bear-napping of Truffles, a stuffed bear situated on a bench outside the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, caused quite a stir in the Geneva Commons community.

Owner Lisa Cruse said she witnessed the brazen daytime theft on June 26

“It was 5:28 in the afternoon,” Cruse said. “I saw a young girl, blond, ponytail, skinny, turquoise shorts. She ran up, grabbed the bear, and ran around Noodles [and Company]. And by the time I got there, they were gone.”

Truffles was wearing a banana costume at the time, Cruse said.

But after an intrepid Geneva police officer followed up on a tip – a photo of the purloined bear was posted to social media – Truffles was safely in police custody by July 3.

An 18-year-old Geneva woman was later charged with misdemeanor theft. Police also confirmed that the Kane County Chronicle’s first story on Truffles' tribulation helped lead to the bear's recovery.

The woman is in the diversion program, which allows nonviolent, first-time offenders to accept responsibility for their actions and keep convictions off their record.