Elf on the Shelf declared 'Wanted' by police in viral photo

BOURNE, Mass., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A police department in Massachusetts has posted a wanted ad for traditional holiday toy Elf on the Shelf that has since gone viral.

Bourne Police Department in Bourne, Mass. posted a parody wanted person ad alerting residents of a Christmas-themed criminal on their Facebook page.

"Use Caution. Wanted in a 'string' of ginger bread house invasions. Known to spread Christmas Cheer and a specialist in covert surveillance," the post, accompanied by a photo of an Elf on the Shelf doll, read. "Often seen hiding in high places. Do not approach and especially DO NOT touch as this is known to cause loss of magical abilities to report back to his jolly kingpin!"

Since being posted on Sunday, the holiday-themed wanted ad has received over 2,000 likes and has been shared more than 1,000 times.