Police are in hot pursuit of a sticky fingered-suspect who stole a faux chocolate cake last weekend at the Beverly Hills Wine and Food Festival, which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Century City.

photo courtesy of the Beverly Hills Chocolate Company

The three-foot-tall, three-tiered cake was created by the Beverly Hills Chocolate Company, and was comprised of 95 of the company’s CHOCBite individual three-ounce chocolate bars. It disappeared overnight between 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, and the morning of Sunday, Nov. 17, when exhibitors arrived for the second day of the festival. Beverly Hills Chocolate Company owner Adeline Arjad, who refers to herself as the company’s CCL, or chief chocolate lover, said she was dismayed to find the cake missing. It was valued at more than $1,500.

“When I heard it was stolen, I was just kind of shocked. I’ve never had anything stolen before,” Arjad said. “It was in a locked room. I have no idea what happened to it.”

Arjad filed a theft report with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Los Angeles Division, which patrols Century City. Investigators could not be reached for comment.

The chocolatier said she is at a loss for why someone would steal the chocolate, but she surmises that the thief has a major “sweet tooth.” She said the cake is popular for weddings or special events. Guests can take individual servings of the chocolate, or they can be given away as gifts.

Arjad added that she manufactures the chocolate at a small factory on Santa Monica Boulevard, and does not have a retail shop open to the public. She said she hopes police find the perpetrator, but said even if the chocolate is returned, she wouldn’t be able to resell it.

“We want to find out who this Willy Wonka thief is,” Arjad added. “I can’t resell it because it’s food and it may have been tampered with, but it would be nice to see who did it.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact investigators with the LAPD’s West Los Angeles Division at (310)444-0702.