GRAND FORKS (AP) - A theater here closed on the opening night of the controversial movie "The Da Vinci Code" after 20 projector lenses were stolen.

Police said the theft was reported shortly after 4 p.m. Friday. Authorities said the lenses were valued in the thousands of dollars.

Police said there was no evidence of a forced entry. Investigators made no immediate connection between the theft and the movie based on Dan Brown's novel that has drawn protest from some Christian groups who consider it sacrilegious.

Officials at the Carmike 10 Theaters put a sign on the door Friday night telling moviegovers that "The Da Vinci Code" would be shown at another theater owned by Carmike in the city.

The theft upset people who wanted to see the movie and also those who had gathered near the theater to protest it.

"That doesn't accomplish anything," said Ruth Holweger, one of the protesters. "It's not right to destroy property."

Protesters - some holding signs that said "Boycott Hollywood" and "Pray for Dan Brown" - said the theft was not connected to their demonstration.

"We're not for vandalism. That's a crime, and we're not behind that," said Marsha Allmaras.

Carmike 10 manager Richard Melby also said he did not believe the protest and the theft were related.

"It's their right to do what they're doing, and I don't have a problem with it," he said.

Many people who came to see the movie were angry about the incident.

"I'm (mad)," said Heidi Hogenson. "It's just a movie."

Others said they believed that if the lens thief meant to make a statement about the movie, it might backfire.

"In the long run, more people will go to see it," said Tom Winger, who had hoped to attend opening night of the film to see how it compared to the book.