A heartless thief in the Bay Area has managed to ruin the most wonderful time of the year for one San Jose family, making off with $1,200 worth of their cherished Disney-themed Christmas decorations in a brazen heist that has left the community fuming.
The crook was caught on a ring camera targeting the home of Nathan and Amanda Steele last Wednesday.
Among the beloved characters stolen were figurines of Dumbo, Mickey Mouse holding a present, Minnie and Mickey Mouse riding in a hot rod, Eeyore and Stitch.
The beloved Disney duo brought holiday cheer to both kids and adults in the neighborhood. KRON 4
The family adds to their collection of LED tinsel Disney decorations every holiday season, and this year was the biggest yet.
After their camera security footage notified them of the robbery, the Steele’s reported the theft to the police.
Following the incident, Amanda Steele went on the Nextdoor app and saw that a number of similar robberies had occurred in the area beginning last Sunday.
“It was 100% the same person doing this,” Steele told The Post. “He had on jeans, a dark sweater, a face mask so all you could see were his eyes, and adidas shoes. Everyone had the same guy.”
In each case, the suspect cleared out specific Disney pieces, and left all other decorations. “I’m assuming that he’s selling them because they’re very expensive.”
Nathan Steele warned neighbors to be vigilant, particularly if they have Disney holiday displays on their front yard, saying that the thief is “coming for you.”
The thief was caught on a Ring camera around 2:45 a.m. last Wednesday. KRON 4
The Steele’s front yard cleared of Disney Christmas decorations. KRON 4
The Steele’s filed a report with the San Jose Police Department, but have not heard anything from authorities on the matter.
The theft has left the homeowners, and their neighbors, stunned by the audacity of the crime.
For now, the magic of this San Jose home has been dimmed.