A thief nicknamed “Willy Wonka” by police is said to be prowling a city centre on the lookout for chocolate to steal.
Police have issued a warning to the public after five sweet-toothed heists were carried out in Wrexham city centre.
Inspector Luke Hughes of North Wales Police said the thief has taken a “significant quantity of chocolate”.
Police fear the plundered confectionary is being sold to unsuspecting candy lovers, North Wales Live reports.
Insp Hughes said: “It looks like we have an emerging chocolate thief.
"It is reported that on five occasions, Mr Wonka has attended a location in the city centre and helped himself to a significant quantity of chocolate.
"He either has a very sweet tooth or is selling them on – or both.”
Willy Wonka became an enduring figure of fascination for generations of children as a character in Roald Dahl’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
In the book, five Golden Tickets are hidden in Wonka’s chocolate bars, corresponding to the number of chocolate thefts reported in Wrexham .
Ticket finders were guaranteed a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Insp Hughes is asking the public for their help in tracking down the city’s chocoholic.
He suggested people be wary if approached by an unofficial chocolate seller.
The inspector said: “Help us stop Mr Wonka in his tracks, and don’t buy his dubious wares.
"I’m not sure where he conceals them, but I doubt he has a five on his food hygiene rating, so it’s really not worth the risk for a couple of warm Mars bars.”
