We’re just approaching the second week of December, but the holiday season is officially in full swing. While some of us are working on our shopping, preparing baked goods, sending out cards, or organizing charities, plenty of Scrooges and Grinches are out trying to spoil our holiday spirit. Here’s a roundup of some of these recent holiday-related crimes.
Florida Man: Holiday Edition
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Francis Keller was dubbed “the Grinch” by police after he was caught opening packages while intoxicated at the Boynton Beach post office. Keller, who had worked as a postal worker for nearly 30 years, was able to gain access to the facility using an old access code. He was released on bond. Later that same weekend, Keller held up a Sonic drive-thru restaurant and carjacked a terrified teenager who had been in the parking lot as the robbery occurred. Police caught up with Keller that same day. He will be forced to spend Christmas in county jail this year.
Grinch Sighting in Canada
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The CBC reports that Aunt Lee’s Place, a charity that runs various programs to assist foster children, had been the victim of a Grinch. Every year the company sells Christmas trees to help fund their programs, but this year someone made off with nearly 30 of their trees. The thieves went directly for the most expensive trees on the lot, causing the company to lose roughly $5,000 worth of profits that would have gone directly to their charity work. The RCMP are currently investigating, but urges anyone who as any information on the case to contact them immediately.
Santa Safari Stabbing
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According to their job listing “Santa Safari provides clients with a range of thrilling activities and quality accommodation, all set deep within the Arctic Circle. Winter activities range from snowmobiling, husky sledding and Northern Lights safaris, as well as memorable family meetings with Santa Claus in his homeland.” But as of late, the family-friendly holiday adventure tour has been making headlines for more than just their unforgettable getaways.
Rebecca Johnson, Scottish woman who had been employed by the company, was brutally stabbed to death in the town of Kuttanen, Finland. According to reports by the Huffington Post, the murder set off a manhunt in attempts to track down her boyfriend, who is a suspect in the case. Santa Safari has since expressed their condolences to Johnson’s family and have assured the public that they are assisting police in any way they can.
Frosty Shanked
A Missouri vandal was caught on camera approaching an inflatable Frosty the Snowman in the yard of Jeff Diggs. In the video a suspect is seen plunging a knife into Frosty, before fleeing in a pickup truck. While the homeowner believes that it was a mean spirited prank by kids, he says that it is hurtful to other people. In the description of YouTube video of the attack, Diggs writes: “Frosty received a total of 9 stitches from the stabbing. He is doing well and recovering from his injury. He insisted on going back to work immediately because he believes in the magic of the holiday season and hopes that all people will come together and learn to love and respect each other regardless of our differences!” He has also set up a GoFundMe with all proceeds intended to go to charity.
A Not-So-Merry Christmas
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Mary Jo Smith from Uniontown, Pennsylvania has been charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, DUI, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and reckless driving after driving to her ex-boyfriend’s home and attempting to run him over. During this altercation, Smith had been blaring Christmas music from her car radio and yelling “Merry Christmas” at the victim. Three people were nearly killed in the incident as Smith went flying into the victim’s yard. The victim’s stepdaughter was able to grab Smith and hold her down as they awaited police to arrive.