Grinch Broke Into Home, Stole Presents Under The Tree For 2 Girls: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — Deputies are looking for a man who stole a mother's Christmas gifts for her kids after he broke into their home Monday morning, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

The woman left her home in the Longfellow Boulevard in East Lakeland to meet family members for breakfast. She returned home at 11:30 a.m. to find her door had been forced open. Her home had been ransacked, and she saw the wrapped presents for her two girls were missing, authorities said. The burglar also took a company laptop and a flat screen television. (Video of burglary is at the bottom of this article).

“This Grinch needs to be caught and held accountable for his criminal actions," Sheriff Grady Judd. "Thankfully, detectives are working with Polk Sheriff's Charities to ensure these children have a Merry Christmas in spite of this horrible act. Please contact our detectives with any information about this burglary, or call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS to remain anonymous.”

The man who broke into her home is driving a 2019 or newer dark colored four-door Chevrolet Malibu, according to police. Detectives captured images of him from the surveillance system.

Judd said if the presents are recovered by Christmas Day, Polk Charities will work with the single mom to get her kids gifts.

A video of home surveillance footage shared by the Polk County Sheriff's Office is below