Grinch caught on camera, stealing Christmas decorations in Port Orchard



PORT ORCHARD - Homeowners in Port Orchard say a real life Grinch has been prowling their neighborhood.

He was caught on camera last night, stealing Christmas decorations from someone’s front yard.

Every year, Rob Wawrzynski decorates his home for the holidays. He’s got inflatable characters and lights timed out to music.

“I have an 11 year old in the house, and it's for him and all of his friends," Wawrzynski  said. "That's what I’ve done it for."

But someone helped themselves to the Wawrzynski’s Christmas spirit Tuesday night, stealing more than a dozen candy cane decorations.

“I had them all along my whole walkway, Wawrzynski  said. "All the way in front of the house and up the driveway.”

The thief didn’t take the most expensive decorations, but Wawrzynski says it’s not what was taken that’s troubling.

“Why?” he asked. “Why would they steal anything for Christmas? Why ruin people's Christmas spirit?”

Wawrzynski has had problems with theft and vandalism in the yard before. That's why two years ago, he decided to install security cameras. He got a shot of the thief’s face, which was given to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies say decorations have been stolen from homes in the Silverdale area, but this is the first report in Port Orchard this year. Wawrzynski said thieves have targeted his neighbors before, which is why many of them don’t decorate anymore.

“It’s depressing to see half of my block not even lit up because they don't want anything stolen," he said.

He’s trying to hold onto his spirit, and hoping for a Christmas miracle.

“I want someone to recognize him, point him out, and tell him to come back over here and apologize to my face," he said. "That's it.”