Stolen Vancouver popcorn mascot retrieved by police

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) is calling it a “sweet end to a salty tale.”

Poppy is safe and smiling, following an apparent ‘kidnapping’ of the life-sized striped popcorn bag — the mascot for the Downtown Vancouver BIA’s annual summer movie nights series.

Vancouver Police Department Deputy Chief Howard Chow tweeted that the thief who stole Poppy was arrested.

'Motivated' thief who stole @downtownvan mascot 'Poppy', was no match for our beat officers who were motivated in arresting yet another property offender and returning Poppy home. DYK: commercial break and enters continue to rise despite #COVID #InItTogether #covidcrimestories pic.twitter.com/1gdxOZzPYN

— Howard Chow (@DeputyChow) April 18, 2020

The DVBIA was asking for the public’s help in finding Poppy yesterday, after the mascot costume was stolen along with several other items from a downtown storage facility site.

Today, the DVBIA announced that the mascot costume had been returned.

“She’ll need a new set of white gloves and a replacement pair of shoes (size 18, we think?), but other than that, she’s good as new,” the DVBIA announced. “HUGE thanks to the VPD for all of their hard work tracking down our beloved mascot. Future movie nights just wouldn’t be the same without Poppy.”

Poppy was first introduced last summer and was a “a huge hit with movie attendees, and very playful and interactive,” according to a DVBIA spokesperson.

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