Dec 21, 2007 8:14 pm US/Pacific
Baby Jesus Stolen For 3rd Time In 4 Years Near NYC
NYACK, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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The nativity scene in Nyack, N.Y. is missing its Baby Jesus after the statue was stolen for the third time in four years.
CBS
For the third time in four years, a statue of Baby Jesus was stolen from the annual nativity scene displayed in a suburb of New York City.
Police say sometime Wednesday morning between 3 and 5 a.m. someone took the statue right out of the manger set up by the town's Knights of Columbus, reported CBS station WCBS-TV in New York.
In 2004, the statue was stolen from the scene, but later returned with a note of apology. A year later, it was taken again and police even made an arrest for that incident.
Last year, however, the statue remained in the manger.
Now town officials and residents are frustrated to see the baby bandit is back.
"It could be people coming from bars at night after 3 a.m.," said Orangeburg Police Sgt. George Garrecht. "Could have been a prank. I'm assuming that's what it was."
Frank Gemeinhard, the man who puts the display up for the Knights of Columbus, agrees, but also says it could also be someone overly devout.
"Maybe an overly zealous person who thinks protecting Jesus is a good ting to do. I don't know," said Gemeinhard.
It's the type of caper that, of course, brings out the lightheartedness in some. Perhaps issue an Amber Alert for a plastic Jesus?
"Maybe he's gone to a better place," jokes one resident.
But there's no joking around from Nyack police, who are sending a stern message to the thief: Put Christ back in Christmas.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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