Real-world Grinch steals gifts Christmas tree, gifts in Struthers

Staff report

STRUTHERS

A Lowellville Road home appears to have fallen prey to a real-world “Grinch.”

Judy Shugart of Struthers said she was dismayed to find that all of her Christmas decorations, including the tree, had been stolen from her home a few weeks ago.

Also taken were toys and an Xbox belonging her grandson, Shugart said.

A Struthers police report filed Dec. 9 notes that a racetrack and Hot Wheels cars were among the items reported stolen.

Shugart is raising her 22-year-old grandson, who is nonverbal and has cerebral palsy along with a severe form of autism, she said. She noted that these toys were precious to him.

“It’s going to be hard for me to afford to replace all of them,” she said. “Some of them were basically brand-new.”

Shugart believes a relative who used to live in her home stole the items.

There may be one bright spot: Shugart said she has since been able to replace the Christmas tree, thanks to help from her niece.