Stolen stable returned to Salida church

The stable for the nativity scene at First Congregational Church in Salida has been returned after disappearing earlier this week.

The 6-foot-tall, 7-foot-long wooden stable was stolen sometime Monday night.

The Rev. Kevin Roach made a plea through print and television media to have the stable returned, and a local resident offered a $100 reward for its return.

The church’s marquee was changed to read: “There is no room at the inn. Please return the stable.”

Roach said people have stopped by to offer words of encouragement, and one person gave a donation.

On Friday afternoon, the stable was returned by a man who’d seen the media coverage. Roach said the man found it along railroad tracks near Ripon; it had a plastic tarp over it and was being used by a homeless man as a shelter.

Roach said the good Samaritan gave the homeless man some money and brought the stable back in his truck.

The stable is again on display in front of the church on Broadway Avenue. Roach said given the media attention it’s received, he’s not too concerned it will be stolen again.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Stolen stable returned to Salida church."