Police: 'Grinch' stealing Christmas lights in Montrose

The community of Montrose has been wrapping itself in twinkly lights for the past 11 years.

In the last month and a half, however, somebody has been up to no good stealing Christmas lights.

"At first it was a small hit here and there. And as we got closer to Thanksgiving, which is our big event when the mayor comes, lights in the tree and lights in the town," said Dale Dawson, owner of Mountain Rose Gifts.

"Just prior to Thanksgiving we were getting hit very hard every day," he added.

According to Dawson and his contractors, the "Grinch" took around 3,400 lights out of the 10,000 that have been wrapped around trees.

"We're looking at around $2,000 in loss at this stage and then you have to incorporate the fact that these lights have to be replaced," Tawnee Lightfoot said.

Keep in mind, there are also costs to the police department to have a detective work on this caper.

Every person we spoke with in Montrose said they loved the lights. It made them happy. But all were disheartened when they heard of the thefts.

Andrea Cortez: "I'm not going to be happy about that. I love Christmas."
Maria Micetich: "It's pretty low... It's a low blow to take Christmas lights from a town."
Arsen Shatarevyan: "I think its outrageous what's happening. It's very wrong."
Amber Brubeck: "It's far fetched. Like, why?"

"Why" is what everyone wants to know. The town has put out a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit.

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