Two people were caught on camera taking Christmas decorations from a West Covina resident's lawn in the middle of the night, and what worsened the blow for the holiday-loving family was that it was the seventh time it happened in the last 10 years, the homeowner said Monday.
"They should stop doing it — it's ruining people's Christmases," Tami Madison, the heartbroken homeowner, said.
The two people, who had not yet been identified, can be seen on the surveillance video pulling up on bicycles and taking the lawn decorations. Madison said she shared the video with police.
NBC4 confirmed with West Covina police that a report was filed.
They took $2 plastic candy canes from the lawn around 3:15 a.m. Sunday, among other items.
"Even though the value isn't that much ... Christmas to me is a big thing," Madison said. "It's a part of my life and I look forward to decorating every year."
Her frustration with the disappearing lawn decorations came to a head Sunday when a major item went missing.
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"I've been hit in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009," Madison said. "[This time] they took the most expensive thing ever."
A $500 irreplaceable ornament was taken. But Madison said it's not about money — it's about the Christmas spirit.
"To me, it's special. It's for all my nieces and nephews, the people that stop by and comment, and take pictures," Madison said.
Madison's nephew said for as long as he can remember, he has spent the holidays at his aunt's decked-out house.
"I'm disappointed in people for doing this and taking my aunt's — and probably other people's — stuff," Jovanni Evangelista, Madison's nephew, said.
It wasn't clear if the two captured on camera had been the ones who took items in previous years.
