Boston police: Wally the Green Monster theft appears to have been misunderstanding

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff

The costume of the Red Sox mascot, Wally the Green Monster, was recovered after a brief search this afternoon, and Boston police said that what they originally described as a theft appeared to have been a misunderstanding.

“No arrests. Happy ending,” said Boston police spokeswoman Cheryl Fiandaca.

She referred all further questions to the team.

A team spokeswoman said an employee was scheduled to take the Wally costume this weekend and decided to “spread some good cheer” around the city by wearing it.

Red Sox Nation collectively chuckled this afternoon after police said a security officer at Fenway Park had reported the theft at 2:22 p.m. Police said they believed the thief was wearing the costume.

Shortly before 4 p.m., police tweeted that “Wally the Green Monster has been found.”

The mascot, who debuted in 1997, is a familiar figure around the ballpark and is popular with children. He also makes appearances at school functions, parades, holiday parties, and corporate and charity functions.

His official Red Sox website lists his height as “pretty big” and his weight as “doesn’t like to say.”

“Missing: Wally the Green Monster. If seen please call Boston Police,” police said in their first tweet on the topic.

Fiandaca said a “couple of units” responded to the theft, though some Internet wits had called for sending out the State Police air wing and closing all the bridges to the city.

Globe correspondent Sarah Mattero and Martin Finucane of the Globe staff contributed to this report.