PINE WATCH Grinch thieves swipe Christmas tree in shameless heist leaving shop worker injured

[Rob Thompson]

PINE WATCH Grinch thieves swipe Christmas tree in shameless heist leaving shop worker injured

Source - The Sun

By- Richard Moriarty

Date - 03/11/2023

SHAMELESS thieves are branching out to stealing Christmas trees.

One drove off with a £35 Norway spruce as a shop worker clung to his door.

Shopkeeper Andrew Eley, 47, said the thief also swiped a £20 stand and five £10 wreaths, probably to sell on.

The man, in a hi-viz jacket, was caught on camera taking a 5ft tree outside B&M in Cheadle, Staffs.

Employee Tom Walker saw him loading up his VW Polo and tried to stop him.

But he sped off with Tom, 40, hanging on, injuring his arm and back.

Andrew said: “Tom turned his back for a second and the guy loaded up whatever he could get.

“The police have been out but only because Tom was injured. He was very shook up.”

Andrew, who has run the shop for 12 years, added: “I only make a fiver on each tree I sell.

“The theft problem is out of control. I go to Nottingham market every morning.

“One guy said he had £3,000 stolen from his stall and the police didn’t even turn up.”

Thieves also pinched the Christmas tree from the village green at Hartley Wespall, near Hook, Hants on Saturday — before residents even had a chance to decorate it.

Parish clerk Paul Newbury, said cops have been called, adding: “It disappeared overnight.”

Staffs Police are investigating last Sunday morning’s B&M theft.

 

[Santa SteveKl]

It is so very unfortunate that some have no respect for property or the lively hood of another person.

[Sundblom Santa]

16 minutes ago, Santa SteveKl said:

some have no respect for property

Sounds like the Grinch who stole Christmas. The irony is that neither the Grinch nor this inner-city hoodlum can steal Christmas because it’s not about gifts or Christmas trees. It’s about something they couldn’t steal if they tried.

16 minutes ago, Santa SteveKl said:

the lively hood of another person

What really riles me up is that (apparently, according to the article) the Nottingham police are not even doing their job with responding to crime. It’s ridiculous. The police should’ve been called (and responded) immediately, Tom should’ve been compensated for the loss to his business and his injuries, and that scumbag hoodlum should’ve been thrown in county jail.

Edited December 8, 2023 by Sundblom Santa

[Rob Thompson]

9 hours ago, Sundblom Santa said:

Sounds like the Grinch who stole Christmas. The irony is that neither the Grinch nor this inner-city hoodlum can steal Christmas because it’s not about gifts or Christmas trees. It’s about something they couldn’t steal if they tried.

What really riles me up is that (apparently, according to the article) the Nottingham police are not even doing their job with responding to crime. It’s ridiculous. The police should’ve been called (and responded) immediately, Tom should’ve been compensated for the loss to his business and his injuries, and that scumbag hoodlum should’ve been thrown in county jail.

Unfortunately, crimes such as this are low priority as the Police are stretched in the extreme, so the quick response are for the most part related to serious crimes.  The scumbags,( and I agree), as you refer to them, are fully aware of this, as such they are prepared to take the risk at others expense and safety.

In this instance I would make the offender the Christmas tree fairy, by way inserting the tree he stole, in a place where the sun does not care to shine then erect the tree in the central square for all to see.

Now that would be some Christmas light switch on