FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Gurnee, IL] – A four foot tall Simon the Chipmunk figurine that had been stolen from the Gurnee Cinema at Gurnee Mills, has been recovered and returned to the theater, safe and sound.

The plastic Simon figurine was one of three chipmunk figurines that were on display inside the lobby of the Gurnee Cinema at Gurnee Mills Mall. On February 11, Gurnee Police were notified of a theft of the “Simon” figurine. The theft had occurred on Monday evening, February 8 at approximately 11:35 PM when a group of teens took the figurine out of the lobby to their car and drove away. The incident was captured on surveillance video inside the theater. There appeared to be a group of 15 to 20 teens all leaving the theater at the same time. Several were involved in moving the figurine to the front doors and out to the car.

A tip lead the investigating officer to the identities of those involved. The officer also found information on a popular online social network that indicated they planned to return to the theater on February 17 and remove the Theodore figurine.
On February 16, the Simon figurine was recovered in Beach Park at the residence of one of the suspects. The follow-up investigation was completed on February 26. Three suspects were charged with a local ordinance theft. Charged were Eric Pasiewicz, 18, of Beach Park, Ryan Sibley, 18, of Beach Park and a 16 year old male also from Beach Park.

The chipmunk figurines are valued between $300-$400, according to employees at the Gurnee Cinema.

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