North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say they have identified the suspect in the theft of a bear statue outside a Chemainus ice cream shop.
Police said charges have not been laid and a name is not being released at this time.
The wooden “baby bear,” the smallest of the group of three bears was stolen from outside Baby Bear’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Chemainus. The theft was captured on a surveillance video. In the video, a suspect is seen kicking the baby bear statue off its foundation and walking off with it.
But on Tuesday morning, the bear was found on a logging road with a note left on top of the bear, which read “I am so sorry for taking the bear.”
A note left on Baby Bear, found on the side of a logging road Tuesday morning. Courtesy Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP.
Owners Ward and Kathy Yeager said following the crime, they were considering closing their business altogether.
After the baby bear was returned to them, the Yeagers had some fun with the statue, taking it to the Chemainus Care Centre, where medics wrapped plaster casts around its legs and ankles that were broken during the theft. The bear also got an IV full of honey.
READ MORE: Couple considering selling Chemainus ice cream shop after baby bear statue stolen
The bear is now back at the store where children can come by and sign his casts on his broken legs.
The Chemainus Business Development Association is raising money to help with the costs of the repair.
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