The owner of a Sydney meat shop that was broken into last week has announced that they are prepared to give a reward to whoever manages to help locate the stolen meat, as well as the thieves.

Anthony Zammit, owner of Zammit Ham and Bacon, said that he is willing to offer $5,000 to anyone with information regarding the robbery, reported ABC News.

The meat theft, according to police, was believed to have happened sometime between 3:30 pm Saturday and 5:00 am Sunday. The thieves stole a total of 17.6 tons of ham and bacon.

The Associated Press revealed that Zammit's shock turned to fury upon reading a message the thieves left on the wall:

"Thanks...Merry Christmas."

Zammit believed that the thieves might sell the stolen meat to other butchers, at a lower price.

Despite the theft, Zammit said, the store crew will try to fill all the Christmas orders, by working overtime.

"We're working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and put on extra staff," Zammit revealed. "We won't let anyone down."