"Walkway of Lights" cables stolen

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) - A thief has pulled the plug on the annual Walkway of Lights festival in Marble Falls.

The special electrical cables used to power up the festival's lights were stolen.

The cables cost more than $20,000 and can't be bought in stores.

Christian Fletcher, executive director of the Marble Falls Chambers of Commerce , said it's because of those reasons he's upset someone stole the cables.

"It's obviously frustrating," Fletcher said.  "We never want anything like this to come up, very disappointed."

Chamber workers were cleaning out a storage facility last week where holiday decorations are kept and discovered the cables were missing.

They also found someone had used a tool to cut a hole in the storage unit's wall to gain entry.

Now, even though the cables were insured, the chamber has to pay the deductible out-of-pocket.

"I wish people wouldn't take advantage of non-profits, especially ones that are just trying to do good community events," Fletcher added.

Police have not determined an exact motive, but residents and festival volunteers said they think they know why this happened.

"It's a shame, but it's the value of the copper," explained John Klepper, a resident.  "That's what they did it for. They probably took the copper and they'll sell the copper."

"It's happening on construction jobs and you're hearing more and more of this thing happening," said Sonya Smyrl, a "Walkway of Lights" volunteer.

Now, as police continue to investigate, locals told KXAN they're on alert looking for the grinch among them.

"It's very disturbing," said Reamore Lairsen, a resident.  "Anybody that would do anything to steal any part of Christmas is just awful."

No arrests have been made in this case, but police said they are following up on leads.

Anyone who has any information about this crime is urged to call the Marble Falls Police Department at: 830-693-3611.