Thief returns baby Jesus figurine stolen from Colorado nativity scene: 'I made a dumb mistake'

DENVER (KDVR) — Police in Fort Collins, Colorado, were looking for a suspect who reportedly stole a baby Jesus figurine from a nativity scene, but said the thief returned the figurine on Thursday with a brief note.

Fort Collins Police first noted the figurine was stolen from the area's Old Town Square nativity scene on Tuesday.

"This Grinch tried to ruin Christmas by stealing the Baby Jesus from the Old Town Square nativity scene," the agency wrote on Facebook.

According to police, the reported theft happened on Sunday at 2:19 a.m. The nativity scene was positioned behind restraint fencing at the Old Town Square.

But on Thursday, the figurine was anonymously dropped off at Poudre Fire Authority Station no. 1 in Fort Collins with an apology note.

"I am really sorry, I made a dumb mistake in the moment, it won't happen again," the scrawled note reads.

Police said they did not get any further information about the suspect from the figurine drop-off. The agency didn't say if it was still looking for the suspect pictured below but shared photos of the recovered figurine.

The suspect was seen with three other people at the time of the theft, but their descriptions were not immediately available.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect pictured or witnessed the theft is asked to call Officer Brittingham at (970) 419-3273.