A truck carrying 413,793 special edition Formula 1 car-shaped KitKat chocolate bars seemingly vanished into thin air on Thursday, in a mystery that has now gone viral due to the unusual nature of the crime.
The truck disappeared while transporting about 12 tons of chocolate bars from Italy to Poland.
Italian authorities confirmed that the truck was intercepted somewhere outside Turin by several individuals impersonating law enforcement. The thieves removed and restrained the driver, stealing the truck and disappearing by the time the authorities arrived on the scene.
No one was harmed - except the millions of dedicated Formula 1 fans who had been waiting for their branded treats to hit the shelves. Instead, they appear to have hit the black market.
According to Forbes, the knowledge the culprits had to have possessed to carry out the theft - details of a shipment that was not publicly disclosed - signals they may have been involved with the logistics chain.
Companies, US officials offer condolences to Kit Kat
After KitKat confirmed the theft with a social media statement, many brands, celebrities, and even fictional characters released satirical statements offering their condolences to the company.
“We would like to share our thoughts and condolences with Kit Kat following their recent news,” Dominos UK posted.
“On an unrelated note, were pleased to announce we'll now be selling a new Kit Kat pizza.”
Alongside Domino's, Crumbl Cookies shared photos of Kit Kat cookies, McDonald's reminded followers to try the Kit Kat-flavored McFlurry, and the city of Montreal shared a post announcing the launch of its new Kit Kat-flavored bagel.
All while sharing their condolences with the Kit Kat team and denying any involvement, of course.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute also responded to the news, joking that it would keep an eye on the world's jelly bean supply.
As more and more brands and foundations jumped on the bandwagon to deny involvement, netizens jokingly accused known Kit Kat lover and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member Lisa Barlow.
Barlow has made her love for Kit Kats known, claiming she eats at least four every day as part of her morning routine.
“I have an alibi,” she wrote on X, sharing a photo of herself with a drawer filled with non-Formula 1 chocolate bars.
Another public figure who rushed to clear his name was beloved Sesame Street character, Cookie Monster, who stated, “Me not approve, but me understand.”
While the internet continues to joke about the missing chocolate bars, the crime has shed light on the very real issue of retail theft, with the case making its way to the US Senate Judiciary Committee, which used the viral KitKat heist as a springboard to advocate for a bipartisan retail crime bill.