Swirly the Cone, via Joanne Chang.

Here's the scoop: Joanne Chang, owner of Flour on the Common (and all the other Flours) is offering some baked goods to whoever returns Swirly the cone to his accustomed spot outside the sweets kiosk.

He was possibly spotted in a nearby dorm window looking down longingly at home and we have reason to believe he may be confused about where he is.

To anyone who is temporarily sheltering him: thank you for protecting him this winter , please return him safely, no questions asked, in exchange for baked goods and our eternal gratitude!!!

Why does she suspect a college student as the softened criminal? Specifically, a student at nearby Emerson College? Seems a source passed her a photo of Emerson's Little Building with what looks suspiciously like a large vanilla soft-serve cone in a window.