Christmas caper: Ann Arbor police looking for thieves of $1,000 in holiday decorations
Police are looking for this man and one other who they believe stole $1,000 in holiday decorations from seven Ann Arbor homes.
Courtesy of the Ann Arbor police
It’s the kind of crime that would make the Grinch proud but has put a damper on the holiday spirit at seven Ann Arbor households.
During the overnight hours Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, two men stole Christmas decorations from seven different homes in Ann Arbor Hills, Burns Park and other neighborhoods east of downtown Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor police detectives are investigating the case and released information on the incidents Wednesday afternoon.
According to detectives, decorations were stolen from homes in the 2200 block of Belmont Avenue, the 500 block of Onondaga Street, the 2700 block of Bedford Road, the 2900 block of Overridge Drive, the 1500 block of Granger Avenue, the 2700 block of Granger Avenue, and Highland Road.
Detectives estimate the two men stole a combined total of $1,000 in holiday decorations.
Police are now asking for help in identifying one of the two men believed to have injected a little “humbug” into the lives of the affected residents.
Detectives released a video from one of the homes that shows a car pulling up and one man jumping out. The time on the video reads 9:26 p.m. as the man approaches the house, but police say the timer was slow and the man was actually coming into view at 1:25 a.m. Wednesday.
The man approaches the home, casually, and dips out of view while he unplugs the decorations. After standing back up, the man unhooks the decorations and runs back to the car dragging the stolen item back to the vehicle.
The man is described as white, between 18 and 20 years old, with dark hair and wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with a collar and light colored pants.
Anyone with information on this Christmas caper is encouraged to call Detective Chris Fitzpatrick at 734-794-6930 ext. 49324 or via email at cfitzpatrick@a2gov.org.
View 2200 Belmont Rd in a larger map
Comments
Jaime
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Any description of the stolen items?
dotdash
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
There were probably more victims who didn't bother to report the thefts to the police...
mady
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
Good Jehosaphat! it's enough to make me decorate on the INSIDE as opposed to the OUTSIDE.....
DNB
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
I don't like these Grinch-guys, and I hope they are caught...probably not. This happened to us, and a lot of other homes in 2000 or 2001. I remember The Ann Arbor News doing a story on it at the time, too. They took all my lights off the bushes, a display ON the front porch, and some light-up figures that were in the yard. We drove around for several nights, looking for our recognizable light-up items to no avail. The people that do this do not think about any consequences, just plain stupid. My little munchkins thought the Grinch had really stopped at our house that year.
Former A2 Resident
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Same thing happened to me several years ago. It may be a prank to the perps, but not to me. Dampened my spirits a bit.
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
Seven houses worth of lights is plenty. Who could use such Christmas overkill? Might be homeless vagrants have moved back into the tent encampment, and they're run an extension cord across the four-lane highway.
music to my ear
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
when that kid was young his parents never decorated their home. I am sure it is a physiological thing. get him therapy.remember in our society there is always a answer for everything.or he is just poor and wanted to DECK the HALLS.
Halter
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 10:57 a.m.
Note that on the map, all thefts are a short hop from Fraternity Row...
kindred spirit
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 7:55 a.m.
Let's go steal the kegs from the frat houses!
treetowncartel
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 6:15 a.m.
Reminds me of the early 90's when Ann Arbor cops were sitting in wait to pull over people leaving Fraser's Pub. A homeowner in the area came to them when they were sitting in the parking lot of what is now Marco's an B'Green to report someone had just swiped thir lights off their house and they told said homowner they had bigger fish to fru. Maybe, Rich has some anecdotal input on this occurrence. I think it happened during his tenure.
huh7891
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
Haha..sounds like you have a bone to pick ? Last I knew it was 2012......maybe the guy in the video did it..he would have been about 3 or 4 then, they start early now days.
brian
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 3:34 a.m.
Your a mean one Mr. Grinch, your a mean son of a bleep.
s
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 3 a.m.
How about a description of exactly what was stolen so we know if we see it in the neighborhood or at a local frat house?
justcurious
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 2:24 a.m.
Check the frat houses as JRW said. Looks like a frat kid.
huh7891
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
What a jerk......sure someone will recognize him.
RJA
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Between my security lights, dog and gun they/he would have been stopped on the spot.
smokeblwr
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.
The War On Christmas continues...Fox News was right!
dsponini
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
Aren't FOX News always right? The leader in fact based news? h ttp://www.dailykos.com/story/ 2012/12/04/1167226/-Jon-Stewart -Mocking-Fox-News-War-On- Christmas-Funny-With-Deep-Message-VIDEO
tom swift jr.
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
Should be easy to find them, how many people in the community have glowing eyes?
Ignatz
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
They probably have raccoon DNA...
JRW
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
If they are caught.....let's hope there are some real consequences. How about a few nights in jail and a stiff fine, along with a criminal record.
JRW
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 12:46 a.m.
Could be a frat prank. Frat boys in the past have been arrested for chopping off the top of 30' pine trees in the Arb for a Christmas tree for their frat house. Seems unlikely that decorations would be stolen if they weren't going to be used. Maybe police should make a few visits to area frat houses and check out the decorations.
PattyinYpsi
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
I love the way this crime is referred to as a "prank" in Ann Arbor.
Halter
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.
This is exactly the thought that I had -- young guy, well dressed, drives up in a car, looks like a college kid -- i agree that a tour of the Frats and Dorms might be a quick way to wrap this one up...and I would start with UM given these kids headed to where they had been told by friends the "rich folks lived"....
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
Is that Bill O'Reilly, bringing the Christmas War home?
dsponini
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
I know...that is funny. But not as funny as mocking Bill O'Reilly. Did you see Ol Bill say Christianity is not a religion, but a philosophy? h ttp://www.dailykos.com/story/ 2012/12/04/1167226/-Jon-Stewart -Mocking-Fox-News-War-On- Christmas-Funny-With-Deep-Message-VIDEO
Rudedog
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
Wondering if these are the same punks that stole my Fall outdoor decorations just before Thanksgiving!!?? Stole items right off of my front porch!
CLX
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Just watched the video - what a disgusting jerk! The guy walked right up on to someone's porch and took his time unplugging/unwrapping the decoration.
CLX
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
This exact same thing happened last year. The police were completely uninterested, and this "paper" would not do a story despite the fact that they were contacted with the details.
SMC
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
If the police had a proper budget, they might have more resources and manpower available to find the thieves. You can thank your mayor and city council for that.
a2citizen
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
Well, here is the story. And the police are asking for help.