Tree thief leaves Calgary restaurant stumped

A Calgary restaurant is appealing for help to find a man who stole two rare Japanese maple trees in the early hours of Mondaymorning while out walking his dog.

Security camera footage from the newly-openedRoyale Brasserie shows the man uprooting two decorative trees from two large planters on a deserted 17Avenue S.W. around 3 a.m. on Monday.

The man has his Jack Russell dog on a leash.

Devin Morrison, director of operations atthe brasserie, posted security footage to anInstagram account.

"I started laughing out loud at first. I've never seen anything like this. To see that little dog being dragged around was priceless," saysMorrison.

"We had a very cool florist we worked with who drove to B.C. to pick those trees up. They're very difficult to find and very valuable."

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Morrisonsays he'soffering an all-expenses paid night out on the town for anyone with information who can help get his trees returned.

Hehasn'tinvolved the police, but hopes the video shames the thief into doing the right thing.

"It seems like maybe they live in the neighbourhood, and I don't know how many little Jack Russellsthereare walking around here."

Morissonsays the moral support, especially from other restaurants in the city, has been overwhelming.

He says it's unfortunate to lose his prized trees,but the response on social media hasturned out to be a lot of fun.