Sundance Square Christmas tree ornament returned after woman caught on camera stealing it

Stolen Fort Worth Christmas ornament returned

A thief who police referred to as the "Grinch" has returned a hand-painted Christmas ornament that was taken from the tree in Sundance Square.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Someone has returned the giant, hand-painted ornament that was stolen from the base of Fort Worth's iconic Christmas tree in Sundance Square. But, according to police, the saga is not over.

Ornament Returned

What's new:

Fort Worth police confirmed that a man on a moped pulled up to the sidewalk near Sundance Square at 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He pulled the stolen ornament out of a black trash bag and handed it to someone passing by.

The passerby dropped it off at the tree and a security team recovered it.

What they're saying:

"Our city has a holiday spirit bigger and brighter than anything we can hang on a branch. Folks looked out for our artists, shared the story, and showed the kind of neighborly care that makes our city so special," the department said in a post on social media. "Whoever returned it must’ve felt maybe a little Christmas magic. That kind of goodwill could make any heart grow three sizes."

Police also said they are still investigating the theft and still trying to identify the woman. 

Despite the outcome, they said a crime still occurred.

Sundance Square Ornament Stolen

Do you know this Grinch? Woman stole hand-painted ornament

Video shows a woman stealing an ornament off the iconic Sundance Square tree in Fort Worth.

The backstory:

Video released by the Fort Worth Police Department earlier in the week showed a woman taking one of the large 2025 ornaments. She was seen leaving the area in a dark gray Audi SUV.

Security and police referred to her as a "Grinch" in their appeal. 

They posted a lighthearted message, stating: "If you suddenly find yourself filled with Christmas spirit, we would welcome the safe return of this ornament… and who knows… perhaps your heart will grow three sizes when you bring it back."

Dig deeper:

The 86-foot tree in Sundance Square is known as the tallest live Christmas tree in Texas. 

The large, beautiful ornaments adorning it are not generic decorations; they are specially commissioned and hand-painted by North Texas artists, who spend weeks creating the custom pieces.

This particular blue ornament was painted by local artist Arely Morales.