Amnesty will soon be over for the culprits responsible for stealing a golden reindeer from Bethlehem.

In what sounds like a Christmas fable of the Grinch kind, is actually real life after Goldie, the statue that usually stand proud at the Bethlehem Town Centre roundabout outside Kmart, was stolen on Friday night.

One hoof and an antler was all that was left behind.

'So far, he has not been returned. Although we do have some leads,” says Bethlehem Town Centre marketing manager Dan Weck.

'We have provided info to police who we are waiting on to follow up. At which point the amnesty will be over!”

A CCTV image has been released with the hope of identifying the culprits.

It's not the first time someone has messed with the reindeer.

Last year someone decided to add some 'ornaments'. Read more here.

While last year's prank was received pretty well by the centre and the community, this year's theft has left a bitter pill for people to swallow.

Disappointing, dummies and sickoes are just some of the word used to describe the offenders.

'But why the resolute need to remove or at very least damage such an item as this?...something very sad about human behaviour...and really worrying. Please do not hesitate to pursue and punish these .....'people'... really weird thing to do.....,”reads one comment from a SunLive reader.

'There are some real sickoes around with nothing better to do but steal - first the Lizard at Omokoroa, then the Gorilla from Palmers - hope the miscreants get the maximum thrown at them -if caught!” reads another comment.

Whatever the reason for the theft, the centre just wants Goldie returned.

Anyone with information about where Goldie is, is asked to contact the Bethlehem Shopping Centre to arrange for his return. "No questions asked."

Contact information for the centre can be found on its Facebook page here.