Robin Hood or Grinch?: 'Cookie Monster' Holds Golden Biscuit Ransom

Spiegel.de ^

[DeaconBenjamin]

Bahlsen is one of Germany's most famous food companies and its Leibniz line of cookies are enjoyed by millions. Last week, the company's emblem golden biscuit was stolen in Hanover. A ransom letter for the hostage has now been sent -- by a character claiming to be Cookie Monster.

"I have the cookie! And you want it," the letter read, according to the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The letter is reportedly signed by a "Cookie Monster," and includes an accompanying photo of a person wearing a Cookie Monster costume sticking the golden cookie in its mouth.

'Cookie Will Wind up in Trash with Oscar the Grouch'

Until last week, the golden cookie was hung proudly over Bahlsen headquarters in Hanover.

The assumed perpetrator is also demanding that cookies supplied to the children's hospital be "milk chocolate" and that the €1,000 ($1,347) reward offered for information leading to the culprit be donated to a local animal shelter. According to the letter, which includes no return address, if Cookie Monster's demands aren't met, the golden cookie will wind up in a trash can with Oscar the Grouch.

The newspaper confirmed that a similar letter had been sent to Bahlsen. Meanwhile, editors at the paper have passed it along to police to confirm its authenticity.

At the local children's hospital in Hanover's Bult district, officials pleaded for mercy on behalf of Bahlsen. "One cannot forget that what we are dealing with here is a case of theft and blackmail," hospital spokesperson Björn-Oliver Bönsch told the newspaper. "Bahlsen has already done a lot for our hospital -- it doesn't need to be forced in this way."

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

[Cicero]

Time to defund this villain.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

"One cannot forget that what we are dealing with here is a case of theft and blackmail," hospital spokesperson Björn-Oliver Bönsch told the newspaper

Exactly. The thieves can dress up in whatever costumes they want, they are still committing felonies. Find them and lock them up.

[twister881]

Neither Robin Hood nor Grinch: The perp is Nanny Bloomberg McPhee!

[Cronos]