Don’t steal, right?
A statue of baby Jesus has been taken from a nativity display outside a government building on Long Island, prompting Suffolk County authorities to seek the return of the statue with an unusual offer of leniency. They aim to send a message: “Long Live the Virgin Mary.”
County Executive Ed Romaine and Police Chief Kevin Catalina both made appeals for the return of the statue after it was stolen from the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge sometime between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
“We want Baby Jesus back!” Romaine said emphatically at a press conference on Friday.
While Romaine expressed frustration over the theft, he extended a Christ-like invitation for the thief to return the statue without facing any consequences, promising no questions or charges in exchange for its return.
“If they bring him back into the building, we’ll just accept it, no questions asked,” Romaine reassured during his plea.
However, Catalina warned that if the thief didn’t come forward, the police would actively pursue the case and might investigate it as an anti-Christian hate crime.
“We are a county that values tolerance and acceptance of all religions, and this is an insult to those we worship,” Romaine added.
Officials are currently reviewing surveillance footage from around the complex where the county council meets, looking to piece together when and how the theft occurred.
Anyone with information on the statue or the theft is urged to reach out to Suffolk County police.
