Police in New Canaan are trying to track down a group of Grinches who stole a Santa Claus decoration outside the Diner of New Canaan.

It happened Friday night after midnight.

Manager Maria Kalmanidis says it's not the first time something like this happened at the diner.

"Christmas is magic," Kalmanidis says. "When it's missing, it just breaks my heart."

The day after Santa Claus was stolen, the community rallied, building a snowman in its place.

After searching for a replacement for hours in her car, Kalmanidis says she finally found one so the kids could still deliver their letters to Santa at the diner.

Rather than pressing charges, she wants whoever did it to either pay for the replacement or make a donation to St. Jude's in honor of her late husband, who died in a car accident two years ago.

"I want them to understand the meaning of Christmas," Kalmanidis says.

While someone may have stolen a plastic Santa Claus, the New Canaan community says Christmas can't be stolen.

"Who would do that?" Christie Eckert says. "It's such a special thing for the community and this street, why would anybody want to come and take that away?"