Kansas Candy Factory's Bear Statue Recovered

ABILENE, KS— A statue of a bear being drenched in chocolate has been found after being stolen from a Kansas candy factory a year ago.

The Russell Stover Candies sculpture was an iconic figure outside the Abilene factory.

Abilene Police Department assistant chief Jason Wilkins says the figure was found Wednesday in a Salina home following a tip from someone apparently unconnected to its theft.

Det. Karmen Kupper says a suspect has been identified but hasn't been arrested.

Wilkins tells The Wichita Eagle that early leads in the November 2016 theft from the company's Abilene factory didn't pan out and that the bear investigation had "become a running joke."

Kupper describes the 150-pound, 4-foot tall sculpture as a "huge landmark" and a popular backdrop for pictures.

Jason Wilkins/Abilene Police Department via AP