SEQUIM — Black Bear Diner’s Peekin’ Bear wood carving has been stolen, employees say.
The carving, which stood on a stump outside a window of the southwest corner of the building at 1471 E. Washington St., disappeared sometime between 11 p.m. last Sunday and 6:30 a.m. Monday.
General Manager Linda Donaghay said a maintenance staffer noticed it was missing Monday morning.
Peekin’ Bear, valued at $1,000, was carved by Black Bear’s specialist carver Ray Schultz, who has created more than 1,400 bears for the national franchise including several at the Sequim eatery.
Donaghay said the table inside where the bear looked in is a popular spot for children, who often waved to him.
Peekin’ Bear was bolted down and the chain was likely cut and he was carried to the nearby parking lot, staff said.
A thief or thieves was not captured on surveillance cameras, Donaghay said.
Staff reported the bear missing to the Sequim Police Department on Tuesday. Donaghay said the police have suspects in the theft.
Calls to the Sequim Police Department were not immediately returned Thursday.
Donaghay said this is the first bear theft from the restaurant.
Anyone with any information regarding the stolen bear is asked to call Sequim Police at 360-683-7227.
________
Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
