Ice cream truck stolen from Fla. landmark eatery

(CBS) DANIA BEACH, Fla. - It's not yet a cold case...still, a carefully-planned theft from a local landmark sent an unwelcome chill through the South Florida city of Dania Beach.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said someone stole the delivery truck from Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant early Saturday morning, CBS Miami reported.

"It's got a graphic design on it that features an 8-foot high upper body of Monroe Udell, the founder and owner or Jaxson's," general manager Smith said Sunday. "Very hard to miss."

Employees were still closing up shop early Saturday morning when the theft occurred just before 1 am, but say they didn't hear a thing.

A surveillance camera captured the truck being driven away from its usual parking spot out back.

"We came to work Saturday morning at about 8:30 and discovered that the gate had been cut, the lock had been cut on the gate and the truck was gone," Smith explained.

With a pricey freezer unit and minimal mileage, Smith estimates the 16 foot Isuzu box truck is worth about $50,000. He doubts anyone is taking it for a joy ride.

"I suppose it's already in pieces," Smith told CBS Miami.

Parlour patrons were shocked, and couldn't believe the landmark ice cream shop would be the victim of such a crime.

"I think it's wrong," said 15-year-old Samantha. "Who's going to steal an ice cream truck? One- it was empty. And two, it's just not a nice thing to do."

Jennifer Jerez said she's been visiting Jaxson's since she was a kid. "This is a family place, family oriented. Just not the right thing to do."

Jaxson's is offering a reward for information leading to the truck's recovery.

The person who finds the vehicle will get free ice cream for himself and a friend on every birthday for the rest of his or her life.