INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A Grinch has stolen a large Santa Claus from the porch of a historic mansion in the Kansas City area.
Police in Independence said the jolly old elf was snatched Tuesday or Wednesday from the Vaile Mansion. Built in 1881, the three-story Gothic-like structure is open to the public as a museum.
Police said the Santa belongs to a Parks and Recreation employee and has "much sentimental value.''
In an effort to track down leads, police posted pictures on Facebook showing the missing Santa posed next to a giant reindeer and beside a fireplace.
Several dozen people responded to the post with outrage. One poster predicted that the thief would be ''on Santa's naughty list this year.''
