CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

Stolen Tortoise Returned Safe And Sound

View Comments
(Credit: The Animal Store)

(Credit: The Animal Store)

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This

Updated 07/03/11 – 3:25 p.m.

LINCOLNWOOD, Ill. (CBS) – Thanks to an anonymous tip, a tortoise that was stolen from a Lincolnwood pet store has been returned safe and sound, if “a little freaked out.”

Spur, a 70-pound tortoise, was stolen from a display window The Animal Store in Lincolnwood early Saturday morning. Someone broke the glass front door of the exotic pet shop and took the 35-year-old tortoise from her pen, according to owner Kenn Bearman.

As WBBM Newsradio 780′s Nancy Harty reports, On Sunday morning, Bearman said Spur, a female Sulcata tortoise, had been returned safe and sound. He said some Good Samaritans found Spur eating grass in someone’s yard and brought her back to the store.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Nancy Harty Reports


“We are happy to report that she has been returned safely. She’s a little freaked out, but otherwise healthy,” Bearman said in an email. “An anonymous tip led to her return today with only a few minor dings. She’s a little freaked out and hiding in her shell, but we think she’ll be fine.”

Bearman said the break-in and theft had garnered a lot of attention, which he believes led to whoever took Spur deciding to return the tortoise on Sunday.

“I got calls this morning from Florida and Michigan. People sent photos in, they saw people walking with their tortoises and they thought they could be mine,” Bearman said. “I think that’s exactly how we got her back. She became such a hot commodity that they basically dumped her out and got rid of her.”

Bearman has owned Spur since The Animal Store opened in 1991. Bearman said she’s the store mascot and would often visit retirement homes and children’s parties.

He said it took a couple hours for Spur to come out of her shell on Sunday, but she’s eating and doing well.

Surveillance video captured only the foot of the person who took Spur from the store, according to Bearman. No other animals were stolen.

(The Sun-Times Media wire contributed to this report.)

View Comments
  • Nature Center Volunteer

    So happy Spur is safe and sound, loved by everyone. I’m a volunteer at a nature sanctuary where there are turtles and tortoises, and the staff, volunteers and visitors all enjoy them. I’m sure we all agree that we’re happy Spur is back home where she belongs. Would love to get a follow up story that features a welcome home party for Spur and her friends. I’m sure people are curious to know what type of cake do you make for her?

  • Todd E. Stein

    A Turtle Cake???

  • Arjay

    Glad the animal was unharmed.I hope Karma gets the theif.

  • Arjay

    ..and the thief too. :-)

  • Hachipisali

    Six eggs sunnyside up.

  • http://www.sure-leds.com/blog/led-display/darien-display.html Sure LEDs' Blog » Blog Archive » Darien display

    [...] Stolen Tortoise Returned Safe And Sound Thanks to an anonymous tip, a tortoise that was stolen from a Lincolnwood pet store has been returned safe and sound, if “a little freaked out.” Read more on CBS Chicago [...]

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Benjamin Moore Which Team Colors Matter Most? May 24, 2013
    Which Team Colors matter most to you? Either way, you could be a winner! Just sign up now for a chance to win $500 Depot Dollars to the Chicago Sports Depot to pick up some gear with your favorite team colors as they battle it out this week!
  • AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013
    AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
  • Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013
    Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
  • Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013
    AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates