Libertyville Grinch Is Back: Have You Spotted Him Around Town?

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — If you noticed a tall, green "foul-smelling creature" wandering around town, you might want to snap a photo of him. Or, if you're brave enough, a selfie with him.

That's right, the Libertyville Grinch is back and he's been causing trouble around town, officials with the police department confirmed Thursday.

"As the holiday season is once again upon us, the Libertyville Police Department is sad to announce the Grinch has turned to his old ways," Libertyville police department deputy chief Matt Goze said in a video posted on the village's Facebook page Thursday.

Goze went on to state the police department has spotted the ornery, green Grinch, who is best known for hating Christmas, in locations across Libertyville.

"He is no doubt looking to cause mischief," he said. "We have every reason to believe the Grinch will once again be trying to ruin the holidays for everyone."

In the Thursday "press conference" posted on the village's Facebook page, Goze said the Grinch was first spotted Wednesday night and described him as a "tall, green, foul-smelling creature who may be trying to disguise himself as Santa Claus." The video shows the "Libertyville Grinch" walking a dog in the downtown area and also stealing items from a bakery.

Residents who spot the Grinch around town are encouraged to take a photo of him or a selfie with him, and then posting those photos with the hashtag #LibertyvilleGrinch to the village's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages. Goze says he is most likely to be found at parks in town and those who post pictures will be entered to win a prize.

Updates regarding the Grinch's whereabouts will be posted throughout the holiday season on the Libertyville Recreation Facebook page.