'Grinch In Disguise' Steals Christmas Tree From Jersey Shore Santa Mailbox

BERKELEY, NJ — A "Grinch in disguise" stole a small Christmas tree from a mailbox for letters to Santa posted in the Bayville EMS parking lot, but there was a happy ending.

The Bayville EMS first posted about the "real-life holiday heist" hours after it happened Wednesday morning.

"What appears to be a female suspect gets out, grabs the small Christmas tree we placed under our beloved Christmas Letter Mailbox for the community, and stuffs it right into the back of her car," EMS staff posted on their Facebook page. "She then tries to snag another item from the mailbox but gets spooked when a black SUV rolls in."

That was only one day after officially announcing that the mailbox was placed at Bayville First Aid.

They called her a Grinch in disguise and shared surveillance video of the alleged theft.

But the next day, Bayville EMS shared that they had identified the woman responsible.

"We’d like to remind everyone that while we can laugh about this now, theft is no joke, and appropriate actions are being taken," Bayville EMS said, adding in the comments that they would be pressing charges.

The tree was recovered that afternoon.

Information about the accused theft was not shared.

The mailbox was placed for Berkeley Township children to share their letters to Santa. You can drop off a letter at 660 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville, with a return address to get a letter back from Santa. If you make a donation to the squad (Venmo @Bfas13 or cash), Santa will give the child a certified "Nice List Certificate" along with a letter back. This is through Dec. 6.