Gilbert Family's Stolen Christmas Tree Replaced with Grinch-Themed Surprise

Holiday cheer turned sour for a single dad in Gilbert when a thief, dubbed the "Gilbert Grinch," stole one of his family’s Christmas decorations. The father had recently set up festive lights and trees, chosen by his eight-year-old daughter and son, to brighten the holiday season. Early Monday morning, security footage revealed a person, believed to be a woman, unplugging and stealing a small tree from the front yard. "It kind of dampens the mood of the season," the father shared, describing his children’s disappointment. His daughter’s first question: "Daddy, where’s the tree?" The family reported the theft to Gilbert police, who shared the surveillance video in hopes of identifying the culprit. Meanwhile, the father checked online marketplaces, but as he put it, "No one wants to buy just a 3-foot tree." Then, in an unexpected twist, the story took a heartwarming turn. Just two days after the theft, neighbors secretly replaced the stolen tree with a brand-new inflatable Grinch decoration. Security footage caught the good Samaritans placing the surprise in the yard. The father and his kids were thrilled. "The kids think it’s pretty cool," he said, adding that his children insisted on FaceTiming with the Grinch decoration. While police continue investigating, the incident serves as a reminder that not everyone is a Grinch during the holidays. "It shows there’s still kindness out there," the father concluded. Anyone with information about the thief is encouraged to contact Gilbert police.