Police nab ‘Grinch’ who allegedly stole $45,000 worth of decorative reindeer from baseball stadium

JOLIET, Ill. (TCN) — A 52-year-old man might end up on the naughty list this year after he was arrested for allegedly stealing three decorative reindeer worth $45,000 from a baseball stadium ahead of the team’s holiday event.

According to the Joliet Police Department, on Nov. 13 just before 5:15 p.m., officers were called to Duly Health and Care Field, where the Joliet Slammers baseball team plays, regarding a theft of Christmas décor. Officers received information that the three 12-foot lighted reindeer were nabbed from the facility’s loading dock on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 and placed into pickup trucks. The suspect reportedly arrived in a newer dark truck on Nov. 11 and an older brown one the next day.

The Joliet Slammers shared surveillance photos of the cars and asked the public to help “identify this Grinch that is trying to steal holiday cheer here at Slammers stadium!” The team said they would give a cash reward to a person’s favorite charity for information “leading to the recovery of Rudolph and his associates.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Joliet Police announced they located and arrested Victor Sessoms the day prior. Sessoms reportedly “indicated his involvement in the theft, and it was determined that Sessoms had scrapped the Christmas decorations for money following the theft.”

Police released Sessoms after his arrest on a notice to appear.

MORE: