Crime & Safety
San Mateo 'Grinch' Steals Christmas Tree From Parked Car
An unidentified man grabbed the large Christmas tree and packed it into his SUV then fled the scene, police said.
SAN MATEO, CA — A holiday bandit managed to remove a large Christmas tree from a parked vehicle's roof and escape into the night with the ill-gotten fir, according to police. Officers responded to a theft call early Friday evening in the Shane Co. parking lot off Chess Drive.
Video obtained by KGO-TV shows a man pull up next to the victim's car, get out, and methodically cut the ropes securing the large tree before stuffing it inside his SUV and taking off. According to KTVU, the tree was valued at $250.
"The tree was cut from the roof of the victim's vehicle while running errands," a police spokesperson told Patch. "There's not much more to it other than this was very 'Grinchy,' and the suspect will definitely make it onto Santa's Naughty List."
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Police said the suspect was not located, and the victim was not interested in pursuing charges. Fortunately, police said the company that sold the tree offered the victim a replacement at no charge.
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