Christmas yard displays attract vandals, thieves

In the Chicago area, 32 baby Jesus dolls were stolen from Nativity scenes.
HAMILTON Ohio (AP) -- 'Tis the season for colorful holiday yard displays, but also for the candy-cane vandals and Nativity scene thieves who find them to be irresistible targets.
Some police call the wave of vandalism and thefts from Christmas yard displays "Jesus-whuppin' crime," figuring the criminals will one day face a higher judgment.
"Because no matter what we do to you, it's not going to be as bad as what will happen someday when you have to explain messing with Christmas decorations," said Deputy Chief Anthony Dwyer, of the Butler County Sheriff's Office.
Vandalism to holiday decorations is nothing new, but the stakes have risen in recent years with the popularity of inflatable figures often worth 100 or more, along with air compressors and other display items. Police agencies say besides the scattered reports they receive, they suspect many more don't get reported because of the nature of the victim.
In recent days, 32 baby Jesus dolls stolen from Nativity scenes around Chicago reappeared, lined up along the fence of a woman's yard. A Plaistow, N.H., homeowner was upset to find an empty beer can in place of his manger scene's baby Jesus. And police in the Connecticut communities of Waterbury and Naugatuck have been looking for thieves who are targeting Nativity scenes.
Hard to believe
In Utica, Ohio, three baby Jesus figures, a camel, a sheep and a donkey have been stolen from Nativity scenes this month, said Robert Curtis, police chief in the Licking County community.
"I just found it really unbelievable that people would go to residences and take Nativity scene statues," Curtis said.
In Marion, inflatable decorations are the No. 1 item stolen this holiday season, said police Lt. Mark Beaschler. At least 10 have gone missing since the last week of November, he said.
The baby Jesus from Marion Catholic High School is now safely chained to the Nativity scene, after it was stolen and recovered last weekend.
"We've chained all the figurines down in the manger, but we had not chained the baby Jesus down," said Principal Fran Voll. "We have now."