More ‘Leland Grinch’ victims come forward

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — More Leland residents are coming forward, saying a Christmas Grinch stole items off of their properties. This time, however, 10-foot inflatables are the targets, not just wreaths and garland.

For Donald Hall, decorating his front yard has become a Christmas tradition.

“All the kids in the neighborhood come and help put up the decorations,” Hall said.

But this year, he hasn’t put out everything because on December 2, someone stole one of his inflatables.

“I walked by the Santa Claus and I said, ‘Something don’t look right here.’ They come right over here and took my Santa Claus that night,” Hall said.

The decorations were stolen the same night a wreath and other decorations were taken off of the sign in front of Mallory Creek Plantation.

Charlene Deal had two inflatables taken from her yard on the same night too. She reported the thefts to the Leland Police Department, which she says might sound silly.

“A simple Christmas blow-up being stolen, but if you come and take something from someone that doesn’t belong to you, it’s stealing,” Deal said. “We try to budget money every year, including our decorations, and this was part of the money that we budgeted out. As disappointing as it is we will not be replacing these this year.”

For Hall, his Christmas spirit has also been diminished for the year.

“You’re reluctant to put anything up, because why go through all the expense and the time to put stuff up if people are going to steal it?” Hall said.

No word on whether the incidents are all connected. Calls to the Leland Police Department have not been returned.