Florida police look for “grinch” who stole family’s Christmas presents

LAKELAND, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Polk County, Florida, are asking for help finding a man who broke into a home and stole all the presents out from under the Christmas tree.

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Investigators say the thief broke into the Lakeland home Monday just moments after the owner left, WFLA reported. The home belongs to a single mom with daughters ages 8 and 11.

In a news conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, “Obviously this guy’s got eggnog for brains because we have video of him breaking into this house.” That video, shared by detectives, shows a man going into the house and walking around carrying a laptop. Judd said that laptop belongs to the mother, and she uses it for work.

Judd said the man took several trips in and out of the house, eventually stealing a television and other items totaling $1,600.

“I want him to wake up in the county jail on Christmas. Give me that for my Christmas present please,” asked Judd.

CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of $2,500 to anyone who identifies the thief.

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