Small Tigard business hit by theft days before Christmas [Video]

TIGARD, Oregon — For many families, tamales are an essential part of Christmas celebrations, a tradition passed down through generations. And for the past 15 years, the Tamale House in Tigard has been serving up thousands of tamales to meet the demand during the holidays.

But this holiday season, the restaurant is facing an unexpected challenge. Thieves stole a trailer loaded with essential supplies used to make the tamales, disrupting operations at the busiest time of the year.

Surveillance video shows a tan SUV pulling into the parking lot early Sunday morning. Someone can be seen getting out of the vehicle to attach the trailer and drive away. The ingredients inside the trailer, masa, lard, and corn husks — three main components for making tamales — were valued at a few …