Signs of the Times

Christmas tree theft is on the rise in the US. Law enforcement officials across the country have noticed the increase over the past few weeks. Other Christmas thefts are on the rise as well. As CNN reported:

Lush firs aren't the only Christmas adornments being taken - holiday trim has become hot loot as well. The Garden Patch in Raynham, Mass., a garden center near Boston, lost $1,500 worth of Christmas decorations to thieves on Thanksgiving night. Owner Cathy Berlo says stolen items included table runners, Victorian ornaments and small tabletop arrangements. A few days later, a $120,14-foot fir was snatched.

Some bad Santas are even swiping décor from charities. An artificial tree that had the names of needy children asking for gifts pinned to it was stolen from the lobby of a post office in Sorrento, Fla. And on Thursday, police charged a 40-year-old woman near Grand Rapids, Mich., with larceny for allegedly swiping toys donated to the Salvation Army. According to local reports, when the woman was arraigned and told her bond was $10,000 she asked the judge, "You got $10,000?"

So much for Christmas cheer.

Here's the link to the full story: Sign of the times: Stolen Christmas trees