PLAISTOW, N.H. - Robert and Rosemarie Chooljian said they were shocked Thursday morning to discover the nativity scene they have displayed on their front lawn for more than 30 years had been vandalized.

"It's just very disappointing," said Robert Chooljian, 72. "I can understand sometimes kids play games with things on the lawn, but this was just very sad."

A vandal removed a plastic baby Jesus from the display at the Chooljians' Whiton Place home Wednesday evening, replacing it with a Budweiser Select beer can, police said.

Chooljian said he and his wife have lived in Plaistow for more than 50 years, and never experienced "this kind of vandalism." He urges the thief to return the figurine with no questions asked.