Thieves removed the handmade statue of the Jesus child and wooden cradle on Christmas day at the Don Angelo Frare park near the parish church in Mosnigo.
The president of the Pro loco association in charge of the display, Roberto Contessotto, expressed his disappointment: "We searched the surrounding area, in the fields, to see if perhaps the statue of the child Jesus and the cradle were abandoned nearby, but in vain. That's why we turned to the Carabinieri."
"It is an absolutely reprehensible gesture, against our community," continued Contessotto. "Now the crèche remains "incomplete" until the end. It is no longer possible to restore. As Pro loco we always want to do something for the country to maintain our traditions and then these things happen."
The area was subject to video surveillance and the police opened an investigation. "Let's hope that they find them," concluded Contessotto, "this is not just a prank."