A sentimental ornament is missing from the Christmas tree in Sundance Square in Fort Worth, and the community wants it back.
Local artist Arely Morales created the ornament.
“I went with a theme of Mexican Posada, bringing my Mexican heritage into it,” Morales said.
But there was also a special addition. She included her cat that passed away two years ago.
“So when I was doing the sphere, I was thinking of her a lot because she always did these very funny poses,” Morales said.
It was more than just an ornament stolen early Sunday morning.
The grinch-like crime was caught on camera. Around 1 a.m. on Sunday, a woman is seen jumping out of a dark gray SUV and stealing Morales’ ornament from the tree and taking off with it.
“I feel sad because I know that there’s a lot of work that went behind the scenes to make all of this happen. This is my first year participating. I was very excited to participate…It was literally stolen from the tip of the tree right here.”
Simone Fischer is Sundance Square’s gallery manager and curator.
“Thank you. We appreciate that you love our art so much, but please, you know, bring it back to us.” Fischer said.
Fischer says 40 to 50 artists were invited to create unique designs for the tree. They put many hours into the ornaments for all to enjoy. So they are sending this message to the person who took it.
“Ms. Grinch? I understand the artwork is that good? Because our artists are really that good in Fort Worth. But please bring back the ornament. No harm, no foul. We just want to share it with our community on December 2,” Fischer said.
“What matters is like the opportunity that arises for her to do the right thing, you know, and to bring it back. So I would hope that I would tell her, you know, to consider the joy it will bring back to a whole community,” Morales said.
There are a couple of restaurants offering free food to anyone who helps them find Ms. Grinch.