Un-bee-lievable: Thieves steal Lakeview honeybee colony

Pix of the colony BEE-fore and after the theft. Thankfully, everything is back to normal today. | Southport Corridor Bees 

There’s a big orange sign on the little picket fence: “BEES.” But that wasn’t enough of a warning for someone.

Instead, one of Chicago’s many wandering thieves got a real buzz when they pilfered a couple of boxes from a Lakeview lawn this week. After getting a safe distance away, the sticky-fingered pilferers got a real surprise: The boxes they just stole were filled with honeybees.

Since debuting in April, the community beehive at Bosworth and Cornelia Avenues has been a sweet pleasure for residents and passers-by. But the colony’s operators woke up Wednesday to find their buzzy buddies gone. They went straight to their passionate followers on Instagram:

We’ve been stolen. Did you hear or see anything last night? Please let us know and spread the word. Not only is this devastating for CC, it’s also a horrible crime!!! #stolen #missingbees

By early afternoon, the bees were back. One thing led to another on social media and the hives were soon found in a Roscoe Village alley after a resident accidentally backed into them with his car.

A volunteer quickly re-assembled the bee boxes, and everything was back to normal by mid-afternoon. The bees’ human sponsors filed a police report.

Hopefully the police will follow up! Now, to get a lock and chain for real.

Who knows. Maybe there will be a sting operation. In the meantime, one apian aficionado is trying to kick security up a notch by asking the Ring camera network to get involved:

These little guys (and gals) are essential for the environment and having them in the city is educational for the community. ?

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About CWBChicago 4259 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets.