LEWISTON – It’s as predictable as fruitcake and holiday music at the mall. The theft of Christmas decorations on Fortin Way has left a family bewildered and fuming.

“How do you explain to a 5-year-old that somebody stole the bear that memere and pepere gave us,” said Keith Greaton, who reported the theft. “She was pretty inconsolable for a while.”

Swiped during the weekend heist was a foot-and-a-half tall glass polar bear that had adorned the Greatons’ yard. Keith and his wife Melanie live there with their 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. The polar bear has been gracing the front lawn since last year when it was given to the Greatons as a gift.

“It was there Friday night when I brought the kids home from daycare,” Keith said.

The bear was gone by Saturday afternoon. An electrical cord that lights it was cut, rendering it useless as a glowing holiday adornment.

“Who the heck goes around stealing Christmas decorations?” Keith wants to know. “It’s crazy. It’s the first time it’s happened to us.”

Police are investigating the theft, but by Monday night there was no sign of the polar bear, which is constructed of glass and wire.

The Greatons have lived on Fortin Way for seven years, and they have decked out the yard for Christmas every year, with figures propped proudly on the lawn and shrubbery glowing with lights.

“We love doing it,” Keith said. “This just kind of puts a damper on it, especially for the kids.”

The Greatons later learned that a 3-foot ornamental moose was stolen from a neighbor’s yard around the same time the polar bear was taken. Police are investigating that theft, too. Anyone with information about the items is asked to call the police department at 513-3139.

Keith said that while discouraging, the theft will not ruin the holiday season completely for his family.

“We still believe in the spirit of Christmas,” he said, “but it will be a little darker this year.”