Christmas Grinch Slashing Holiday Decorations in Waukesha
Waukesha becomes Whoville as nearly a dozen homes were hit by a Christmas decoration vandal (or vandals).
Editor's Note: This article was updated at 2:20 p.m. Monday with information about the police department's investigation and suspects.
A Grinch has been stealing the Christmas spirit in Waukesha.
Whether it’s one Grinch or multiple Grinches, a holiday Scrooge has been damaging decorations throughout the city.
Nearly a dozen homes were hit over the weekend, according to the Waukesha Police Department, with vandals damaging lights and slashing inflatable decorations.
Waukesha Police Lt. Tom Wagner said authorities have identified two suspects and an active investigation is ongoing.
One Waukesha Patch reader says she was a vandalism victim.
“They got two inflatables at our house last night,” wrote Erica Russo Kasseckert on Waukesha Patch’s Facebook page. “My poor daughter was devastated this morning when I told her that someone slashed our Christmas decorations. She wants to get more but I hesitate figuring it will just happen again. We reported it but I'm not sure that will do any good.”
The following incidents involving Christmas decorations were reported to the Waukesha Police Department over the weekend:
- A person reported at 1:30 a.m. Saturday finding a neighbor’s Christmas decorations smashed in the 100 block of North Hine Avenue.
- A man reported at 6:10 a.m. Saturday that an unknown person ripped off his lights during the middle of the night in the 100 block of North Hine Avenue. The man told police he’s been having problems in the neighborhood and planned to install a camera to catch the vandal.
- Christmas lights were reported damaged at 8:36 p.m. Saturday in the 1100 block of School Road.
- Christmas decorations were reported slashed at 9:31 p.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Marliz Drive.
- An inflatable Christmas decoration was slashed at 10:38 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of Macarthur Road.
- Christmas decorations were slashed at 10:52 p.m. Saturday in the 500 block of North West Avenue.
- Decorations were reportedly cut at 8:55 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of Oakdale Drive.
- Six Christmas decorations were slashed at 2:45 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Central Avenue.
- A person reported at 6:09 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Estberg Avenue that two inflatable Christmas decorations were “knifed.”
- A person reported at 8:04 p.m. Sunday that an inflatable Christmas decoration was slashed in the 100 block of Rivera Drive.
N.O.A.H.
2:22 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
People can be so mean. Where is your spirit of Christmas?
alt ideas needed
8:21 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
not everyone is a christian
Herbert
3:24 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Waukesha Police announced they made an arrest of two people in connection with this sometime today.
Sarah Millard
3:55 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
The police department told me it's an active investigation and that two people have been identified as suspects and that they are conducting further interviews.
Dustin Abplanalp
10:49 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
they got our house at about 9:00 pm saturday night while my step dad was in the living room watching tv. These people need to be caught and taught a lesson.
Erik Helgestad
10:22 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I would support having their punishment include putting up the city decorations next year and cleaning them up after the season is done.
Nicole
2:55 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
They ( thieves and vandals) have been out in full force lately. I called two weeks ago regarding my vehicle being broke into- officer said I was the 5th caller that morning from my neighborhood. sad.
Dean Lemke
6:13 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
Are people that board. Leave others alone. Focus on your own lives. My goodness!
North Shore Newbie
9:14 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
This is really ridiculous. (Although I have to say I do share their dislike of those blow-up decorations. They look pretty cheesy.)
@-;-'---- Rose
9:23 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
I don't think they are "board" [or bored]...There are just mean people who enjoy hurting others. Dr. Seuss told their story well with the Grinch.
Peter J G Chiconas
11:59 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
You have to wonder what all the thief is doing with all of the stolen decorations...