Outdoor Christmas Decorations Stolen In Wrentham

WRENTHAM, MA — Wrentham police are cautioning residents to keep a close eye — or a camera focused — on their light-up Rudolph and inflatable Frosty this Christmas season after a rash of thefts from a decoration bandit. Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath said that on Dedham Stret, and other locations, decorations have been stolen off the front lawn, including lawn projectors, blow-up Santas, blow-up snowmen and decorative lights.

"These are expensive decorations and we'd love nothing more than to nab the thief whose heart is an empty hole," McGrath said, in a "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" reference. "If anyone can point us in the direction of this seasick crocodile, please call the WPD at 508-384-2121. We truly want to stop this nasty, wasty skunk!"

Wrentham isn't alone. The director of a Creative Learning Center location in Johnston, R.I. reported that three 7-foot inflatable decorations — a large penguin, Frosty the Snowman and The Grinch — were missing when students arrived Tuesday morning.

Beyond vigilance, Wrentham police suggest adjusting security cameras toward the decorations to capture an image from any attempted theft, or point them toward the street nearest to the directions to potentially catch a license plate. Motion detector lights, security wires and noise deterrents such as bells or chimes attached to decorations can also be effective.

Wrentham police are looking for additional suggestions for stopping a decoration thief, and advise calling 9-1-1 if you see something specious or suspect a crime is being committed.

Related Stories: Christmas Decorations Missing From Johnston Learning Center