A shoplifter was caught on camera in the Lincoln Park Zoo gift shop. The footage from the shop’s security camera clearly shows that the thief carefully tucked a bobblehead of Robert, the zoo’s giraffe, into his hoodie pocket when the cashier had their back turned.
Along with the bobble, he also carried out the zoo’s only African chimpanzee, Alexander. Footage reveals that he held Alexander’s hand and led him out the front door, loudly stating, “It’s okay, I asked first.”
The bobblehead retails for $14.99 plus Illinois sales tax, a notable loss for the small souvenir store patrons walk through when exiting the zoo. Conversely, the chimpanzee, being one of the six most endangered species on the planet, is estimated to be worth somewhere around $2 billion, a loss the zoo can’t simply wag its finger at.
We are on the lookout for any tips that could help us locate this criminal. If anyone you know has recently been housing an exotic primate or, more likely, showing off a cool new bobblehead they seem far too proud of, please contact us immediately.