Claire Reid
Police in Pennsylvania are on the hunt for a Christmas ‘Grinch’ who was filmed pulling down a town’s Christmas decorations - a sure fire way to end up on the naughty list, if you ask me.
Now, while I agree it still feels a little bit early to be decking our halls and trimming our trees - the members of Canonsburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas Committee think differently and spent hours painstakingly putting up a festive garland across the town bridge.
But just days after the cheery garland went up - a woman was caught on CCTV removing it. You can see the footage here:
Even more bizarrely, a member from the committee says this is the second time the garland has been pulled down this year.
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Residents of the small town are now hoping the Grinch-like suspect will stop ruining their festive displays as we approach December 25.
Police have shared CCTV footage from the bridge, which shows the suspect, who appears to be a dark-haired woman, wearing a flannel shirt, dark-coloured vest top and trousers, and - according to police - no shoes.
Gloria Dunkle, who sits on the town's committee, told CBS: "It took them [local residents] four hours just to put every bow on there, making sure the garland is straight."
She added: “This is for Christmas, it's a great holiday, and to just trash it like it's nothing - it's really, it's upsetting.”
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The full Canonsburg display includes a man-sized nutcracker and snowmen as well as the aforementioned garland and plenty of fairy lights.
But Gloria says the incident is about more than just a few baubles and lights.
"It's really about the spirit of Cannonsburg, the spirit of Christmas," she added.
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In a post on Facebook the Canonsburg Police Department wrote: “As much as we try to make the town look beautiful and get ready for Christmas, there are those who like to ruin things.”
They then asked locals for help identifying the suspect - and cops say tips have already begun to trickle in.
The local police chief told CBS that once the suspect is identified she could face charges of criminal mischief.
The garland has since been rehung by volunteers and is now tied securely in place with locals hoping it will remain out of harm's way until Santa gets a chance to pay a visit to the town next month.