300-pound holiday ornament stolen from north Houston shopping center

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Grinch is already trying to steal Christmas, and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.

Property managers at the Northline Commons along the North Freeway say a massive 300-pound holiday ornament was stolen from the shopping center's common areas at some point on Thursday morning.

The missing ornament is similar to the one pictured above, but red. It is valued around $7,000.

General Manager Jeff Procell tells Eyewitness News that the ornament will be replaced, and that the shopping center is going ahead with plans to welcome Santa Claus to the property via helicopter at 11:30am on Black Friday.

Houston police have assumed responsibility of the investigation. Northline Commons is offering a reward for information leading to the ornament's return.