Beloved ‘Blue Elephant’ escapes minivan

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Good samaritans turned in a thumb drive and ring last week. -PHOTO BY ROSE PANIERI

Updated: March 22, 2012 8:03AM

The loss of a favorite stuffed animal can be most tragic to a youngster, and so it is with 5-year-old Jackson Schlee of Joliet, who lost his bosom buddy, “Blue Elephant.”

Blue Elephant was there before Jackson was even born. The Carter’s toy was picked out by Jackson’s older brother, A.J., now 12, for his brother-to-be. Thus, Jackson never has gone a day without the stuffed toy that is his very best friend (next to his brother).

Jackson’s mother, Cheryl Schlee, called Friday with news that Blue Elephant escaped the family minivan Thursday.

“We went to the Joliet Black Road library and I told Jackson he couldn’t bring Blue Elephant in with him,” she said. “I think he put the toy between his seat and the minivan door and at some point it fell out.”

It’s likely that Blue Elephant fell out of the van in the library parking lot, between the library and Strack & Van Til in Plainfield or perhaps in the grocery store’s lot.

Blue Elephant is a star-shaped blue elephant with “Sweet Dreams” embroidered on it. He’s a well-loved toy, and should you find him, I know one little boy who will be most grateful to get him back.

Vanishing Smart Phone

Michael Bailey of Rockdale called with a real conundrum. About a month ago, he left his cell phone in the car of an acquaintance. When he realized what he had done, Bailey called the individual to arrange to pick up his phone.

Hey, no problem, right?

“At first he was like ‘Yeah, OK … I’ll get it back to you,’ ” Bailey said. “But then I didn’t hear from him and he wouldn’t answer or return my calls.”

Bailey’s phone is a Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere, a Smart Phone that retails for 500 smackers, so he really wanted it back.

Eventually, Bailey did get through to the fellow.

“He told me he was sorry, but he had pawned my phone to the owners of a gas station,” Bailey said. “I went to the gas station. But, of course, no one knew a thing about the phone.”

Bailey went to the Rockdale police to report the incident. They referred him to the Joliet police, who referred him back to Rockdale.

Bailey even tried the Will County Sheriff’s Department, but it didn’t want to step on the toes of local law enforcement agencies, which left Bailey in a genuine, phoneless pickle.

As a last resort, Bailey contacted The Herald-News in hope that perhaps he’ll see his phone again.

It’s a black Samsung flip phone with a QWERTY keyboard and service through Verizon. The registered phone number was 779-435-0864 (though the phone is disabled). The SIM card still may be in it and may be traceable.

All that glitters

Sandy Dean of Crest Hill found what appears to be a cubic zirconia ring on Feb. 11 at Central Elementary School in Plainfield, near the exit doors by the gym. No one from the school has called to claim the ring. If it belongs to you, give me a call.

The ring is 18K gold electroplate and about a size 6.5.

Thumb drive rescued

A good Samaritan brought in a Skillcraft thumb drive she found in the parking lot of the 7-11 store at Caton Farm and Essington roads in Joliet. There are numerous tunes on the drive, including T.I. King’s “Stand Up Guy” and “Whatever You Like” by Paper Trail.

If you’ve lost — or found — something, call 815-773-7178 or email rpanieri@stmedianetwork.com.