An east side family says a thief stole inflatable decorations from their yard in broad daylight earlier this month.
DJ Bell and his family spend thousands of dollars to put up Christmas decorations every year and this year they say someone stole two inflatables: Lightning McQueen and Mater.
"The one that noticed it first was my 3-year-old son and immediately started crying and wondering where they were and it is so hard to explain it to him what had happened to them," said Bell.
A grinch strikes again. A homeowner’s inflatable Christmas decorations were stolen on the east side. What he is doing to make sure that doesn’t happen again. I’m live at 6 @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/WNefFfbQis
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) December 14, 2017
He says he nails down each inflatable with a couple of stakes to even make sure they are secure.
"When they took it out the power adapter that goes with them they forgot to take that so not only did they steal our inflatables but they are completely useless to them," he said.
Just across the street there a competition for the best holiday house. Paula Geib says last year her laser lights were stolen so she took steps this year to make sure that doesn't happen again.
"This year we fixed that thanks to our neighbors who donated some lights to us that they had extra he mounted them out at the top of our flag poles so they can't be stolen this year," said Geib.
These neighbors say they put up displays to bring holiday cheer to the community and it's sad someone would try to ruin that.
"Everybody should be kind to each other, help each other that's what we do it for we do it to bring joy and happiness to those that can't have it and if we are able to do it that's all that matters," Geib said.
"I just don't want the Grinch to steal Christmas," Bell said. "So I just keep on plugging away at it and keep putting it up we just hope it never happens again."
The family has added extra security cameras.
Tucson Police say they are receiving reports of stolen Christmas decorations.
TPD says if you notice anything stolen, report it immediately to police.
