Man Steals North Jersey Diner's Giant Autism Awareness Teddy Bear

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A large autism awareness bear that greeted customers when they walked into the Allwood Diner in Clifton was stolen Monday.

The large bear wore a black T-shirt with a Batman logo with the autism awareness design on it.

A video of the theft posted on Facebook shows a man walking to the diner at 913 Allwood Road at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, snatching the bear, and running out.

"It's just upsetting, not for the value of the item, but for the mere fact that someone would actually walk in and steal our autism awareness teddy bear in broad daylight," a post on the diner's Facebook page read. "It's just a shame."

Clifton Police Lt. Robert Bracken said the man is a white or Hispanic man in his late teens or early 20s.

"He was seen fleeing in a blue Ford mustang driven by another man," Bracken said.

Anyone with information about the suspect's identity or the vehicle is asked to contact the Clifton Police Department at 973-470-5900.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos: The autism awareness bear that was stolen from the Allwood Diner in Clifton Tuesday. (Courtesy of the Allwood Diner, used with permission)

A photo of the person who stole the bear and the blue Ford mustang that he left the diner in, according to police. (Clifton Police Department)