Whoa nelly. Thieves stole controversial cross in Mojave Desert that was subject of federal litigation.

Thieves have stolen a cross in the Mojave Desert that honored American war dead, less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the religious symbol to remain on federal land.

The 7-foot-high cross was stolen late Sunday or early Monday by thieves who cut the metal bolts that attached the symbol to a rock in the sprawling desert preserve, National Park Service spokeswoman Linda Slater said.

Authorities had no immediate motive for the theft but ideas range from scrap metal scavengers to people “with an interest in the case,” Slater said.

A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves, she said.

Veterans groups were outraged.

No immediate motive? Really? I can think of motive - the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the religious symbol to remain on federal land.