Search for Wally Is Over

For about 40 minutes, the disappearance of Wally the Green Monster was heating up on social media.

The iconic Boston Red Sox mascot costume was reported missing from the 100-year-old park at 2:22 p.m., according to the Boston Globe. Then, police told the Globe that it was not a theft and appeared to be a misunderstanding.

"Never fear Red Sox Nation: Wally is safe and on his way back to Fenway Park," the Red Sox tweeted.

ESPN Boston reports that an employee took Wally without authorization and without telling the team and charges will not be filed.

Just after 3 p.m, Boston Police Tweeted.“Missing: Wally the Green Monster, If seen please call Boston Police.” Forty minutes later, the costume was found, according to Boston police.

Within seconds of the first Tweet from police, there were tweets and articles about the mascot being on the lam.

WHDH, the NBC affiliate in Boston, reported that someone was wearing the costume around Boston.

ESPN’s Boston Twitter feed reported that the person fled in the costume. 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority even joined in on the search.

"If you see 'Wally the Green Monster,' Say Something with the #MBTA See/Say app: http://bit.ly/MpRNx9," they tweeted.

The costume disappeared hours before the Red Sox take on their biggest rivals, the New York Yankees, in New York.   

What exactly happened is still not clear.