OAK BROOK, IL - Amid mounting pressure from Burglars Against Superficial Stereotypes, or BASS, the McDonald's brand of fast food franchises has eliminated all use of the "Hamburglar" as a mascot.

BASS Head Reggie McNeel is pleased his group's efforts have finally paid off. "Not all burglars are squirrely characters dressed from head-to-toe in black and white horizontal stripes and black eye masks, clutching large burlap sacks with dollar signs. The Hamburglar character only perpetuated this stereotype."

Millions of Hamburglar fans, however, are outraged at McDonald's for his demise. "The Hamburglar taught me I could steal hamburgers and still be socially accepted, even idolized," noted Brian Burell of New Haven, CT. "He was a role model for all of us amateur hamburglars everywhere."

The Hamburglar himself could not be reached for comment, though close friends have informed the Review that he is in a near-suicidal state, devastated by his termination. "He's not doing so good...we're all pulling for him and want him to know how much we still love him," said confidante Grimace, a fellow McDonald's mascot. "Mayor McCheese and I were considering a general strike of all publicity events to protest this decision, but Ronald talked us out of it. We realized it would only hurt the children."

In related news, BASS headquarters were burgled later that day by an unknown thief, identified as acting depressed, wearing wearing black and white horizontal stripes and a black eye mask, and clutching a large burlap sack with a dollar sign. McNeel reportedly cursed the irony of the situation.