Red Kettle Stolen By Las Vegas Teen On Skateboard

There have been a lot of positive stories regarding the Salvation Army's famous red kettle. One person dropped a gold coin inside one. Another, an entire gold nugget worth over $40,000! Here in Las Vegas though, the news of a red kettle stolen has the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on the hunt for the thief.

According to 8 News Now, on Saturday afternoon a volunteer for the Salvation Army was posted in front of Hobby Lobby near the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road. You know the sight: a polite man or woman ringing a terribly loud bell to get your attention and potentially compel you to drop a dime or a dollar inside their trademark kettle.

Just before 5pm, a teenager grabbed the entire stand and took off with it leaving the bell ringer startled. The red kettle stolen did have a lock on it, but by the time the Salvation Army volunteer and Hobby Lobby staff found it toward the back of the building, the lock had been busted and all of the money inside had been taken.

The local branch of the Salvation Army is obviously dismayed by the red kettle stolen by the teen and encourage people to donate at your nearest kettle or online. Meanwhile, Metro would like you to donate a tip to the Crimestoppers at 702-385-5555.

While the story here in Las Vegas is incredibly disappointing, there have been some pretty positive stories coming to the kettles this holiday season.

A bell ringer in Wheaton, Illinois was gifted a gold Liberty coin recently worth a cool $2800. Another kettle in Des Moines saw another gold coin.

But there is one rock that took the pot: a massive gold nugget worth $42,000 in gold (and more as a collectible) was dropped into a red kettle in Indiana just last week.

Here's hoping a good samaritian in Las Vegas can help make up for the mess this one teen caused.

When it comes to St. Nick, I've been a fan ever since I was a kid. He's a holiday superhero! That's why I love watching a good Santa movie at Christmas time. Santa movies have given us everything from heartwarming tales and even raunchy comedies. Some of these movies hit just right and become holiday classics, while others, wouldn't even make it on the Hallmark channel. So let's stick to the good stuff here. The ones that make you laugh, and hit you right in the feels.

First up, there’s just something hilarious about watching a regular guy get roped into being Santa and having absolutely no idea what he’s doing. Add in some elves and reindeer who are way too serious about their jobs, and boom, instant holiday movie gold. If you’ve ever wanted to see your dad bumble around trying to do something he’s not prepared for, there’s a movie for that, and it’s The Santa Clause.

Then, you’ve got the Christmas magic of Buddy the Elf. He’s not Santa himself, but he’s basically the spirit of Christmas in oversized tights. You can't talk about Santa without mentioning how Buddy practically forces Christmas spirit onto everyone, even a grumpy Santa who acts more like he needs a nap than a sleigh ride. He kind of reminds me of my Buddy Booger. He drives you nuts, but you can't help but love the guy.

Okay so let’s not forget about the classics, though. If you’re tired of the latest CGI movies, an old-school black-and-white movie might just hit the spot. Miracle on 34th Street is it. I used to watch this every year with my mom. She loves it. It's that Christmas film that reminds you there’s still magic in the world, even if it’s hiding in a courtroom.

And I cant forget about Arthur Christmas! Oh the memories! I must of watched this movie EVERY day when my daughter was little. It's a movie where Santa’s youngest kid, who looks like he couldn’t organize a sock drawer, goes full hero to deliver a single gift. He brings the kind of dedication we should all bring to holiday shopping.

Of course, not every holiday movie plays by the rules. Sometimes you need a Saint Nick who’s more grumpy than jolly, someone who’s better at downing drinks than handing out gifts. A movie like Bad Santa is perfect for those days when you need a laugh after the kids goes to bed.

Tim Allen going from a regular dad to Kris Kringle? Pure gold. This flick has heart, laughs, and the right amount of Christmas magic. Watching Allen stumble through Santa training is like seeing your dad try to set up a trampoline without directions. It’s the perfect mix of slapstick and holiday spirit.

Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf isn’t technically Santa, but it’s got the jolly man as the backbone of the plot. Ed Asner plays a grumpy but lovable Santa who teams up with Buddy to save Christmas. It’s ridiculous, warm, and full of maple syrup-level sweetness.

This is the O.G. Santa movie. Kris Kringle gets caught up in a wild trial to prove he’s the real deal. It’s all black-and-white, but the charm is timeless, and you’ll find yourself believing in the magic by the end.

Santa’s son Arthur takes on a race against time to deliver a missed gift. The animation and humor make it fun, while the story brings heart. It’s a family favorite with a modern twist.

A conman plays Santa to pull off a heist but finds unexpected redemption. Dark, funny, and not your typical Santa story. Perfect for when you need some adult holiday humor.