Thieves struck a Warren County neighborhood early Friday and made off with one of Snow White's seven dwarfs, the property owner said.
Dan Perez gets a kick out of decorating for the holidays.
It's a three-day project that starts the day before Thanksgiving and is capped on what his family calls "Bright Friday," when the display outside his Lopatcong Township home is lit.
But Perez's Christmas spirit was spoiled this year almost before it began.
On Friday, he discovered that someone overnight had stolen one of the animatronic figures that were among a "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" scene in his front yard along Foxwood Lane.
He estimated the value of the motorized plaster and wood figure -- it was the character "Happy" -- at $1,500.
Perez believes the piece was made in the 1960s. It was given to him by his father, who used it in a neighborhood Christmas display that was the attraction of Carteret, N.J., until his dad's display was struck by thieves and he gave up decorating.
Now the same fate has fallen to Dan Perez.
Tree-lightings, other holiday events in the Lehigh Valley
Because of the pilferage, he said, this likely will be the last year he sets up his property with the Christmas display, which brings folks from all over.
"I wouldn't say I'm angry," said Perez, a father of three who works for a creative design firm in New York City. "Probably more disappointed is the way to describe it. It's kids who you do it for."
Perez said he's had other incidents during the holiday season in the 14 years he's lived in Lopatcong, but never a theft.
Last year, an intruder entered the yard and knocked over an 8-feet-tall nutcracker. The blow cracked the Fiberglas figure but didn't destroy the mechanics. A few years before that, a helicopter on the lawn was tipped, breaking off a propeller, he said.
"Every year something happens," he said. "It's usually kids trying to play pranks, I think."
This year's incursion was particularly upsetting, he said, because his 12-year-old son Daniel for the first time joined in setting up the displays.
Plus, Perez said, it's not like he can replace the figures with a trip to the store and a few bucks.
The rare dwarfs are about 3-feet-tall, weigh about 30 to 50 pounds each and probably were on display in a Disney store or property years ago, he said. His father bought them from a private seller more than 20 years ago. Motors turn the heads and arms of the figures.
Perez reported the theft to township police Friday morning.
A father of three, he said one of his daughters heard something overnight about 1 a.m. or so, but when he looked outside he didn't see anything. He guessed that one of the decorations might have fallen, he said.
Unless he gets "Happy" back, this is probably the last year Perez will take the time to put up all the display.
He said he's grateful he got to spend time this year doing it with his son, but was soured by the turn of events.
So was the boy.
"His thought was let's put everything away right now," Perez said. "I'm just trying to keep it alive for this one more year."
Anyone with information about the theft can call Lopatcong Township police at 908-859-2211.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.