Courthouse lawn decorations stolen prior to Christmas

Posted December 28, 2011 at 3:11 pm

The Grinch may have been a fictional character “who stole Christmas” in the famous Dr. Seuss story, but apparently the character lives – and he recently paid a visit to Albany.

Most of the lighted Christmas display objects that have for the past several years taken up residence on the Clinton County Courthouse lawn during the holiday season, weren’t viewable by the public during the final days leading up to Sunday’s arrival of Christmas.

Seems the Grinch made a visit prior to last week – and helped himself to a large load of Christmas bounty.

A $1,000 reward has been offered by the Clinton County Fiscal Court for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in stealing the Christmas Decorations that adorned the Clinton County Courthouse lawn.

The decorations were noticed missing on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 5:45 a.m. by courthouse custodians.

Clinton County Judge/Executive Lyle Huff was disgusted Monday morning when he sat down and talked with the Clinton County News.

“I’m insulted,” Huff said. “I’m insulted that they would take this opportunity to take advantage of our Christmas season.”

Huff said it was first noticed when electrical cords were found in the parking area.

He also doesn’t think this is a prank.

“There have been other thefts of people’s Christmas decorations in the area,” Huff said.

The police report showed the total cost of the missing Christmas decorations was $813.64.

“It’s time to stop it,” Huff said “What are they going to get next. They must have had a conscience because they left the Baby Jesus or they were scared to take it.”

The theft involved nearly all of the many articles in the lawn display, with the exception of the baby Jesus figure in the navitity scene, and a few other items, including a nylon “Merry Christmas” sign, and a tall, lighted North Pole directional decoration.

Judge Huff said this occurrence will not keep the decorations down on the courthouse lawn.

“We will decorate our county courtyard again. I intend to have cameras placed on the outside of the courthouse that will hopefully prevent this from happening again,” Huff said. “We have nine cameras in the building and unfortunately the camera we have that is pointing toward the district judge’s outside door is not high enough. It is directional toward the door only.”

Information can be provided to Clinton County Sheriff Rick Riddle and City Police Chief Ernest Guffey.

“I just want to make a powerful statement. I’m surprised that someone out looking for the treasure has not seen something. People have been out at all hours of the night, so if they have any information, please contact the authorities,” Huff said. “I’m very proud of our custodians and they are the ones who put out the Christmas decorations and they do a great job. Our staff works diligently to make the Christmas holiday season special.”

This North Pole directional sign was one of the few Christmas decorations that was left in the Clinton County Courthouse lawn when a thief or thieves helped themselves to most of the others that adorned the area for the holiday season. A reward of $1000 is being offered.